In your first international cricket tournament, winning Player of the Tournament is rare. A few Indian players stood out in their first tournaments, impressing fans and critics with their great play. Their incredible skills and fearlessness set the stage for memorable careers.
Cricketers To Win POT in Debut Tournament
There aren’t many players who have won the Player of the Tournament award in their first international tournament. The list starts with legends like Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan and ends with Abhishek Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma- Asia Cup 2025
Abhishek Sharma made a big splash in the Asia Cup 2025, showing off his aggressive batting and calmness under pressure. He played important innings in the group stages, helping India score competitive totals and easily chase down tough targets. His fearless hitting and smart running between the wickets made him an important player for the team very quickly.
READ ALSO: Asia Cup 2025 Bangladesh Player Ratings: Top Players and Big Flops
| Match/Stage | Opponent | Runs | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (Match 1) | UAE | 30 off 16 balls | 2 | 2 |
| Group Stage (Match 2) | Pakistan | 31 off 13 balls | 4 | 2 |
| Group Stage (Match 3) | Oman | 30 off 17 balls | 3 | 2 |
| Super Four (Match 4) | Pakistan | 74 off 39 balls | 6 | 5 |
| Super Four (Match 5) | Bangladesh | 75 off 37 balls | 6 | 5 |
| Super Four (Match 6) | Sri Lanka | 61 off 31 balls | 5 | 3 |
| Final (Match 7) | Pakistan | 13 off 8 balls | 1 | 1 |
Sharma scored 254 runs in 6 matches in the tournament, with an average of 50.8, including 3 half-centuries. He took 6 wickets with the ball while keeping his economy at 6.2, which showed that he was a true all-rounder and earned the Player of the Tournament award in his first tournament.
Shikhar Dhawan – ICC Champions Trophy 2013
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, Shikhar Dhawan was the best batsman for India. His aggressive and confident batting made him India’s best opener right away. India won the tournament and the title thanks to Dhawan’s amazing form, which included important centuries and strong opening partnerships. He won the Player of the Tournament award because he played so well.
| Match/Stage | Opponent | Runs (Balls) | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (Match 1) | South Africa | 114 (94) | 12 | 1 |
| Group Stage (Match 2) | West Indies | 102* (107) | 10 | 1 |
| Group Stage (Match 3) | Pakistan | 48 (41) | 5 | 0 |
| Semi-Final | Sri Lanka | 68 (92) | 6 | 0 |
| Final (Match 5) | England | 31 (24) | 4 | 0 |
Dhawan scored 363 runs in 5 matches in the tournament, with an average of 90.75 and a strike rate of 101.39. He scored 2 centuries and 1 half-century, making him the top run-scorer in the tournament and winning him the Player of the Tournament award.
Virat Kohli – ICC U19 World Cup 2008
Virat Kohli was the captain of the Indian team and one of their best batsmen in the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup. His strong leadership and important batting helped the team win. Kohli’s amazing century and steady scoring were very important. They helped India get through the tournament and win the title by beating South Africa in the final.
| Match/Stage | Opponent | Runs (Balls) | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (Match 1) | Papua New Guinea | 12 (17) | 1 | 0 |
| Group Stage (Match 2) | South Africa | 17 (22) | 2 | 0 |
| Group Stage (Match 3) | West Indies | 100 (74) | 10 | 4 |
| Super League (Match 4) | England | 43 (56) | 3 | 1 |
| Semi-Final | New Zealand | 0 (5) | 0 | 0 |
| Final (Match 6) | South Africa | 19 (34) | 0 | 1 |
