The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has witnessed some scintillating performances from the players of various teams. With the tournament at its final stages, these are some of the top favorites who can bag the Player of the Tournament award for their superb performances.

1. Virat Kohli (India)
Kohli has been India's batting mainstay, scoring match-winning innings in pressure situations. His consistency and the fact that he can perform under big occasions make him a prime contender.

2. Shreyas Iyer (India)
Iyer has made decisive innings in the middle order, consolidating India's batting during tough situations. His performance at the crunch moment has been indispensable.

3. Mohammed Shami (India)
Shami has been devastating with the ball, getting key wickets through pace and swing. He is a force to reckon with due to his ability to dismantle partnerships.

4. Varun Chakravarthy (India)
Mystery spinner has remained difficult to get a grasp for batsmen. His tight bowling and strike rates provide India a further boost. 

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5. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
Williamson's leadership and class have ruled the batting for New Zealand. The fact that he can keep playing under pressure makes him an on-the-shortlist favorite. 

6. Matt Henry (New Zealand)
Henry has been one of New Zealand's main bowlers, offering early wickets and tight lines. His influence with the ball has been invaluable.

7. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
Santner's all-round displays have been exceptional. His left-arm spin has contained runs, while his batting has provided depth to the side.

8. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
Ravindra has been a star performer, with his bold batting and handy bowling. He has been a key contributor to New Zealand's run in the tournament.

9. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
Phillips has been a destructive middle-order batsman, delivering match-winning knocks in tight spots. His agile fielding is a bonus.

10. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
Omarzai has been Afghanistan's player of the tournament, with performances with bat and ball. He has been instrumental in Afghanistan's impressive performances. 

With the tournament reaching its final stages, these individuals have made a massive contribution. The fight for Player of the Tournament is as good as anyone's, and it will be intriguing to see who takes the accolade!

Virat Kohli, with an impressive 16 awards from his 125 matches, showcasing his consistent impact on the game. Following closely are Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Sikandar Raza, each recognized for their exceptional contributions with 15 and 14 awards respectively, highlighting their pivotal roles in their respective teams successes.

Kohli, known for rising to big occasions, always delivered when it mattered most in T20 World Cups. Across 6 tournaments, he amassed a record 1292 runs in 35 matches.

His T20 World Cup journey began in 2012, but it was the 2014 edition where Kohli truly shone, carrying India to the final with standout performances. Despite a heartbreaking loss to Sri Lanka in the final, he impressed with 319 runs in 6 matches, showcasing his fearless yet effective batting style.

Kohli’s T20 World Cup legacy: from breakthroughs to heartbreaks

From 2014 to 2016, Kohli’s stature and performances grew. In the 2016 tournament held in India, he played pivotal roles in knockout matches against top teams like Australia and South Africa, leading India to the semi-finals. Despite scoring 89 crucial runs in the semi-final against West Indies, India fell short, but Kohli’s brilliance earned him the Player of the Tournament award for his 273 runs in 5 matches.

Before the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Kohli faced criticism for his form but silenced doubters with a match-winning 76 off 59 balls against South Africa. Despite India losing early wickets, Kohli anchored the innings superbly, showcasing his class and determination in his final T20I match.

Finishing his T20I career with 4,188 runs from 125 matches at a strike rate of 137, Kohli leaves as the format’s second-highest run-scorer in international cricket, trailing only Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

List of players with most POTM awards in T20I

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