Quick Answer: Sunil Narine is the most successful Most Valuable Player in IPL history, winning the award three times (2012 as Man of the Tournament, 2018 and 2024). He also holds the record for the most MVP points in a season: 450 in 2024. Andre Russell and Shane Watson have won it twice each. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won the IPL 2026 MVP with 436.5 points.
How Is the IPL MVP Calculated?
The IPL MVP is decided by a points system across the full season:
- Four hit: 2.5 points
- Six hit: 3.5 points
- Wicket taken: 3.5 points
- Dot ball bowled: 1 point
- Catch or stumping: 2.5 points
Because it rewards both batting and bowling, all-rounders such as Narine, Russell and Watson have dominated the award.
IPL MVP Winners Year by Year
| Season | Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Shane Watson* | RR | — |
| 2009 | Adam Gilchrist* | Deccan Chargers | — |
| 2010 | Sachin Tendulkar* | MI | — |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle* | RCB | — |
| 2012 | Sunil Narine* | KKR | — |
| 2013 | Shane Watson | RR | 386 |
| 2014 | Glenn Maxwell | KXIP | 286 |
| 2015 | Andre Russell | KKR | 312 |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 356.5 |
| 2017 | Ben Stokes | RPS | 279 |
| 2018 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 379.5 |
| 2019 | Andre Russell | KKR | 369 |
| 2020 | Jofra Archer | RR | 307 |
| 2021 | Harshal Patel | RCB | 264.5 |
| 2022 | Jos Buttler | RR | 387 |
| 2023 | Shubman Gill | GT | 343 |
| 2024 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 450 |
| 2025 | Suryakumar Yadav | MI | 320.5 |
| 2026 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 436.5 |
*2008–2012: award was called Man of the Tournament.
Most MVP Awards in IPL History
| Player | MVP Awards | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | 3 | 2012, 2018, 2024 |
| Andre Russell | 2 | 2015, 2019 |
| Shane Watson | 2 | 2008, 2013 |
Highest MVP Points in a Single Season
- Sunil Narine – 450 (2024) – record
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – 436.5 (2026)
- Jos Buttler – 387 (2022)
- Shane Watson – 386 (2013)
Notable MVP Facts
- Only Indian MVPs: Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Virat Kohli (2016), Harshal Patel (2021), Shubman Gill (2023), Suryakumar Yadav (2025) and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (2026).
- Youngest MVP: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15, in 2026.
- MVP + Emerging Player double: Sooryavanshi is the only player to win both in one season.
FAQs: IPL MVP
Q.1: Who is the most valuable player in IPL history?
Sunil Narine, with a record three MVP awards and the highest single-season tally (450 points in 2024).
Q.2: Who won the IPL 2026 MVP award?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi of Rajasthan Royals, with 436.5 points.
Q.3: Who won IPL MVP in 2025?
Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians, with 320.5 points.
Q.4: Has Virat Kohli won the IPL MVP?
Yes, once, in 2016 with 356.5 points.
