The “Player of the Match” award in the ICC finals is a prestigious accolade, often highlighting pivotal performances that lead to a team’s victory. Several seasoned cricketers have earned this honor later in their careers, showcasing experience and skill.
Here’s a closer look at some of the oldest players to receive this award in the ICC finals, along with their age at the time of their match-winning performances:
1. Clive Lloyd (30 years):
In the inaugural 1975 Cricket World Cup final, the West Indies captain Clive Lloyd played a defining role against Australia. At 31, Lloyd scored a commanding 102 runs off 85 balls and took 1 wicket for 38 runs, leading his team to a 17-run victory.
2. Mohinder Amarnath (32 years):
During the 1983 World Cup final, India’s Mohinder Amarnath delivered a crucial all-round performance against the West Indies team. At the age of 32 yrs and 274 days, he scored 26 runs and secured 3 wickets for 12 runs, earning the Player of the Match award and leading India to a historic win.
3. Adam Gilchrist (35 years):
The Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist was instrumental in the 2007 World Cup final against Sri Lanka. At 35 yrs and 165 days, he scored a blistering 149 runs off 104 balls, propelling Australia to a dominant victory and securing his Player of the Match accolade.
4. Rohit Sharma (37 years):
The Indian test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma is the oldest player to win a Player of the Match award in the ICC Finals. At the age of 37 yrs and 313 days, Rohit Sharma played a knock of 76 runs against New Zealand in the finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 which was won by India.
These performances underscore that experience and composure are invaluable assets in high-stakes matches, often leading to match-winning contributions in the ICC finals.
