List of Player of the Match Award Winners in IPL Opening Matches

Brendon McCullum

IPL 2008 - Kolkata Knight Riders

Brendon McCullum made a legendary start to the IPL with an explosive 158 runs off 73 balls in the opening match against Rajasthan Royals. This remains one of the most iconic innings in IPL history, helping KKR win the match and setting the tone for the tournament. McCullum was awarded the Player of the Match for his scintillating performance.

Virender Sehwag

IPL 2009 - Delhi Daredevils

Virender Sehwag announced himself in the IPL with a brilliant performance in the opening match. Playing for Delhi Daredevils against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sehwag scored a quickfire half-century, setting the stage for Delhi's victory. His aggressive batting and match-winning knock earned him the Player of the Match award.

Sachin Tendulkar

IPL 2010 - Mumbai Indians

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian batsman, played a match-winning innings in the opening match of IPL 2010. Playing for Mumbai Indians against Bangalore, Tendulkar exhibited his class and technique, scoring a crucial half-century. His performance was instrumental in MI's victory, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Suresh Raina

IPL 2011 - Chennai Super Kings

Suresh Raina played a brilliant innings in the opening match of IPL 2011 for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians. 'The Little Master' scored a vital half-century that helped CSK set a strong total, which ultimately led to their victory. Raina's consistent batting display earned him the Player of the Match award.

Gaury Nannes

IPL 2012 - Kolkata Knight Riders

Gaury Nannes delivered an outstanding bowling performance in the opening match of IPL 2012. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders against Pune Warriors, Nannes took crucial wickets with excellent bowling figures. His spell was instrumental in restricting the opposition and securing victory for KKR, earning him the Player of the Match award.

David Hussey

IPL 2013 - Chennai Super Kings

David Hussey played a match-winning innings in the opening match of IPL 2013 for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals. The Australian batsman scored a crucial half-century that guided CSK to a commanding victory. His steady and skilled batting performance earned him the Player of the Match award in the season opener.

Virat Kohli

IPL 2014 - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli delivered a stellar performance in the opening match of IPL 2014 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors. The Indian captain-in-waiting scored an unbeaten innings with aggressive batting, showcasing his class and technical excellence. Kohli's match-winning knock earned him the Player of the Match award.

AB de Villiers

IPL 2015 - Royal Challengers Bangalore

AB de Villiers played one of his typical explosive innings in the opening match of IPL 2015. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Mumbai Indians, the South African legend displayed his signature aggressive batting and unique shot-making abilities. De Villiers' match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Virat Kohli

IPL 2016 - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli continued his fine form in IPL opening matches with another outstanding performance in the 2016 season opener. Playing against Mumbai Indians for RCB, Kohli scored a match-winning half-century that demonstrated his technical and mental strength. His consistent excellence earned him another Player of the Match award in the opening match.

Ajinkya Rahane

IPL 2017 - Rajasthan Royals

Ajinkya Rahane delivered a composed batting performance in the opening match of IPL 2017 for Rajasthan Royals. Playing against Mumbai Indians, Rahane scored a crucial half-century that helped RR set a competitive total. His technical batting display and match-winning contribution earned him the Player of the Match award.

Shane Watson

IPL 2018 - Chennai Super Kings

Shane Watson made a triumphant return to IPL cricket in the opening match of IPL 2018, playing for Chennai Super Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Australian all-rounder scored a quickfire half-century with aggressive batting, helping CSK secure a dominant victory. Watson's explosive performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Rohit Sharma

IPL 2019 - Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma led from the front in the opening match of IPL 2019 for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals. The MI captain scored a match-winning half-century, displaying his batting prowess and leadership qualities. Rohit's commanding performance set the tone for MI's successful IPL 2019 campaign, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Rohit Sharma

IPL 2020 - Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma continued his dominance in opening matches with another stellar performance in IPL 2020 for Mumbai Indians. Playing against Chennai Super Kings in UAE, Sharma scored another commanding half-century that helped MI secure victory. His consistent excellence in opening matches earned him another Player of the Match award.

Suryakumar Yadav

IPL 2021 - Mumbai Indians

Suryakumar Yadav made a memorable start to his IPL 2021 campaign with an outstanding performance in the opening match. Playing for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore, SKY scored a brilliant half-century with aggressive batting, showcasing his class and technical excellence. His match-winning knock earned him the Player of the Match award.

Yashasvi Jaiswal

IPL 2022 - Rajasthan Royals

Young Yashasvi Jaiswal announced his arrival on the IPL stage with a brilliant century in the opening match of IPL 2022. Playing for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians, the teenage sensation scored a match-winning hundred, showcasing tremendous batting maturity. Jaiswal's exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award in the season opener.

Mustafizur Rahman

IPL 2024 - Chennai Super Kings

Mustafizur Rahman made an impressive debut in the IPL with a match-winning bowling performance in the opening match of IPL 2024. Playing for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Bangladesh pacer took 4 crucial wickets for just 29 runs. His exceptional spell helped CSK secure a comprehensive victory, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Virat Kohli

IPL 2026 - Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Virat Kohli showcased his match-winning expertise in the opening match of IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off 38 balls with a strike rate of 181.58, Kohli guided RCB to a successful chase. His 64th IPL fifty and Player of the Match performance proved why he remains one of the league's greatest performers.