The 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a turning point for several veteran players, as they have finally ended their long wait to be named Player of the Match. Despite having years of experience and consistent performances, these players had not been able to secure the prestigious award in recent seasons. But IPL 2025 has brought a refreshing change, with these players finally receiving the recognition they deserve.
The 7 Players Whose Wait is Over
Here are the seven players whose years of waiting came to an end in IPL 2025:
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni
MS Dhoni ended his wait for the Player of the Match award for the first time since 2019. Not only did he break his four-year-long drought, but he also became the oldest player in IPL history to win this award, solidifying his legendary status in the league. - Karn Sharma
Karn Sharma, playing for Mumbai Indians, received the Player of the Match award after 8 years. His last win was in IPL 2017, and his performance this season has marked a memorable return to form. - Jofra Archer
After missing a few seasons due to injuries, Jofra Archer made a strong comeback with Rajasthan Royals and won the Player of the Match award after 7 years. His absence from IPL action over the past few seasons had made his achievement even more special. - Nitish Rana
Nitish Rana, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in earlier seasons and is now with Rajasthan Royals, won the award after a four-year gap. He last received it while playing for KKR. - Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings, also ended a four-year-long wait to win the Player of the Match award. His brilliant performance this season has brought him the recognition he deserved. - Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock won the Player of the Match award after three years in IPL 2025. His consistency with the bat for his new team has helped him achieve this milestone. - Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal, another player who had been waiting for three years to win the Player of the Match, finally got his due recognition in IPL 2025. His exceptional bowling has been a key factor in his team's success this season.
The Significance of Their Awards
For all these players, the Player of the Match awards represent not just a personal achievement but also a moment of vindication after years of consistent effort. Some players, like Dhoni and Archer, have faced challenges such as injuries, while others have been playing under the radar despite consistent performances. IPL 2025 has been a season of rediscovery for them, proving that perseverance and hard work eventually pay off.
