Every team and individual wants to take home the Cricket World Cup. Since 1975, there have been 12 iterations of the ICC Cricket World Cup, and teams and players have put up some incredible performances.
Players attempted to step up for their sides as the crucial moment in the final arrived after preparing themselves for 4 years to compete in the massive ICC event. The “Player of the Match” award is typically given to a player who is instrumental in his team’s victory. It is noteworthy that no player has ever received the Player of the Match honour twice in an ICC Cricket World Cup final.
Here is the list of ICC Player of the Match winners in the cricket World Cup final based on this information:
ICC World Cup players of the match in the finale:
Clive Lloyd (West Indies) 1975 World Cup:
Clive Lloyd, the skipper of the West Indies, commanded the team to victory in the 1975 World Cup. The West Indies were given the opportunity to bat first against Australia at Lord’s. Early top three losses, but they still had experience Clive Lloyd, who scored 102 runs in 85 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes, and Rohan Kanhai (55), totalled 149 runs together. West Indies scored 291/8 in 60 overs thanks to this.
Then, under pressure, Australia gave up when five batters were run out, with Viv Richards running out three of them. Australia could only score 274 runs, with Ian Chappell leading the way with 62 runs, and Keith Boyce taking 4/50. After scoring 102 runs and taking one wicket, that of Doug Walters, Clive Lloyd was named Player of the Match.
Viv Richards (West Indies) 1979 World Cup:
England was thoroughly outplayed by West Indies in the 1979 World Cup final at Lord’s. West Indies, once more given the opportunity to bat first, this time by England, managed to score 286/9. However, in this case, only two hitters contributed significantly. With 10 fours and 3 sixes, Collis King scored 86 in 66 balls.
Along with Viv Richards, who scored 138* with 11 fours and 3 sixes, he added 139 runs. The master blaster’s inning was hopeless. West Indies defeated England by 92 runs but England only managed 194 in response. Joel Garner took 5/38. The player of the game was announced as Viv Richards.
Mohinder Amarnath (India) 1983 World Cup:
In 1983, West Indies faced India in the third World Cup final they had played in. This time, Clive Lloyd chose to bat first after choosing to toss. Despite Kris Srikkanth scoring 38 runs and Andy Roberts capturing three wickets, they could only manage 183 in 54.4 overs.
Since the sum was so low, many Windies grew complacent. With the exception of Viv Richards’ 33, the rest of the batting disintegrated as a result of the heavy air swing produced by the Indian medium pacers. The Player of the Match award went to Mohinder Amarnath for his 3/12 in 7 overs. He also became the first player to receive Player of the Match honours in both the semifinal and championship matches.
David Boon (Australia) 1987 World Cup:
At Eden Gardens, Australia and England squared off in the 1987 World Cup final. Toss winner Allan Border elected to bat first. Australia scored 253/5 in 50 overs thanks to Mike Veletta’s 45* and David Boon’s stunning 75, which served as the innings’ cornerstone. Mike Gatting (age 41), Bill Athey (age 58), and Allan Lamb (age 45) responded favourably for England in the pursuit.
However, Australia tightened the screws once Gatting was out, playing the notorious reverse sweep to Border, and England was limited to 246/8. Australia triumphed by 7 runs, and David Boon was named the game’s MVP.
Wasim Akram (Pakistan) 1992 World Cup:
The 1992 World Cup match between Pakistan and England was held in Melbourne. Imran Khan (72) and Javed Miandad (58), two veterans, led Pakistan to a total of 249/6 when they batted first. Later, the greatest damage was done by Wasim Akram (33*in 18 balls) and Inzamam Ul Haq (42).
Imran Khan unleashed Wasim Akram after realising that Pakistan needed wickets to win the game. At first, Akram got rid of Ian Botham for a duck. When it appeared that England had recovered, Wasim returned and delivered two magnificent deliveries to Chris Lewis and Allan Lamb to break their backs. Wasim Akram was named Player of the Match for his all-around performance as Pakistan triumphed by 22 runs.
Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) 1996 World Cup:
Sri Lanka competed in the 1996 World Cup with great success, playing Australia in the championship match in Lahore. After being given the opportunity to bat first, Australia scored 241/7 with the help of Michael Bevan (36*), Mark Waugh (74), and Ricky Ponting (45). Taking 3/42, Aravinda de Silva.
Aravinda de Silva, who had 13 fours and stayed undefeated at 107, came in after Sri Lanka lost both of its openers for 23 runs. Together with Asanka Gurusinha (65), he had added 125 to stabilise the innings. Ranatunga (47*), Sri Lanka’s captain, then led his country home. Aravinda was appropriately chosen as the game’s MVP.
Shane Warne (Australia) 1999 World Cup:
In the 1999 World Cup final between Pakistan and Australia, Shane Warne unleashed his anger on the Men in Green. Wasim Akram and company chose to bat first, and they fell victim to Warne’s enchantment. The leggie finished with 4/33 as Pakistan scored 132 runs by picking off Ijaz Ahmed, Moin Khan, Shahid Afridi, and Wasim Akram.
With 8 wickets in hand, Australia was able to surpass the target with to Adam Gilchrist’s 54. Player of the Game went to Shane Warne. He was also named Player of the Match in both the semifinal and championship games, joining Mohinder Amarnath.
Ricky Ponting (Australia) 2003 World Cup:
When India and Australia faced off in the 2003 World Cup final in Johannesburg, Sourav Ganguly made a mistake by winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. As Australia scored a massive 359/2 in 50 overs, Ricky Ponting smashed 140* (4 fours and 8 sixes), Adam Gilchrist struck 57, and Damien Martyn made 88*.
India managed 234, but the total was too high despite Virender Sehwag’s 82. Australia defeated England by 125 runs in the championship match. In the championship game, Captain Ricky Ponting was chosen Player of the Match.
Adam Gilchrist (Australia) 2007 World Cup:
Australia once again dominated their opponent, this time in the Barbados World Cup championship match versus Sri Lanka. With 13 fours and 8 sixes, Adam Gilchrist ripped through Lankan bowling to score 149. In 50 overs, Australia posted 281/4.
Then, because of umpiring mistakes, Sri Lanka made 215/8 when chasing 269 in 36 overs, virtually in pitch-black conditions. By using the DLS system, Australia triumphed by 53 runs, and Adam Gilchrist justifiably took home the Player of the Match award.
MS Dhoni (India) 2011 World Cup:
In Mumbai, India and Sri Lanka competed for victory in the 2011 World Cup final. Sri Lanka batted first and scored 274/6 in 50 overs owing to a masterful performance of 103* by Mahela Jayawardene, who also hit 13 fours. After that, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were dismissed for a combined 31 runs, shocking India.
After Virat Kohli was out, MS Dhoni moved up to No. 4 in place of Yuvraj Singh. He then helped India get closer to victory by scoring 109 runs with Gautam Gambhir (97). Dhoni hit that recognisable six to end the game while still being unbeaten on 91 with 8 fours and 2 sixes. He was also recognised as the game’s MVP.
James Faulkner (Australia) 2015 World Cup:
In Mumbai, India and Sri Lanka competed for victory in the 2011 World Cup final. Sri Lanka batted first and scored 274/6 in 50 overs owing to a masterful performance of 103* by Mahela Jayawardene, who also hit 13 fours. After that, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were dismissed for a combined 31 runs, shocking India.
After Virat Kohli was out, MS Dhoni moved up to No. 4 in place of Yuvraj Singh. He then helped India get closer to victory by scoring 109 runs with Gautam Gambhir (97). Dhoni hit that recognisable six to end the game while still being unbeaten on 91 with 8 fours and 2 sixes. He was also recognised as the game’s MVP.
Ben Stokes (England) 2019 World Cup:
At the Lord’s in 2019, England and New Zealand played in the greatest World Cup final in history. Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham each scored 55 and 47 runs for New Zealand, who elected to bat first and made a score of 241/8. England was in trouble, but Ben Stokes’ (84*) heroics ultimately led to a stalemate.
The super-over, which was supposed to determine the game, likewise ended in a tie. Due to the boundary count regulation, England controversially won the World Cup. Despite the contentious boundary incident, Ben Stokes was named Player of the Match.
| Year | Player | Stats |
| 1975 | Clive Lloyd | 102 |
| 1979 | Viv Richards | 138* |
| 1983 | Mohinder Amarnath | 3/12 and 26 |
| 1987 | David Boon | 75 |
| 1992 | Wasim Akram | 33*(18) and 3/49 |
| 1996 | Aravinda de Silva | 107* and 3/42 |
| 1999 | Shane Warne | Apr-33 |
| 2003 | Ricky Ponting | 140* |
| 2007 | Adam Gilchrist | 149 |
| 2011 | Mahendra Singh Dhoni | 91* |
| 2015 | James Faulkner | Mar-36 |
| 2019 | Ben Stokes | 84* |
| 2023 | – | – |
So, this was all about the ICC World Cup ‘Men of the Matches’ until now. Also read, ODI World Cup 2023: Top 10 best team jerseys.
