Who owns most Player of the Series awards in Tests?
Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin starred in India's 2-0 Test series win against Bangladesh at home. The all-rounder contributed with 11 wickets and 114 runs as India claimed their 18th consecutive Test series in home conditions. Ashwin was adjudged the Player of the Series, having displayed his all-round skills. It was his 11th PoS award, now the joint-most by a player in Tests.
Ashwin and Muralidaran: 11 awards
Following the Kanpur match, Ashwin became only the second man to claim more than 10 player-of-the-series awards in Test cricket. With 11 such awards, he has equaled the legendary Muthiah Muralidaran. The veteran Sri Lanka spinner is the highest wicket-taker in the format. With a record 800 scalps, he is miles ahead of second-placed Shane Warne (708).
Ashwin has this unique feat
It is worth noting that Ashwin has fewer player-of-the-match awards than series awards. He has been adjudged the Player of the Match 10 times in Test cricket. Ashwin remains the only player with this record (players with five-plus PoS awards).
Jacques Kallis: 9 awards
Hailed as the greatest all-rounder, South Africa's Jacques Kallis was adjudged the Player of the Series in his 18-year career. He won the player-of-the-match award as many as 23 times. Kallis tallied 13,289 runs from 166 Tests at an incredible average of 55.37. He has also claimed as many as 292 wickets in the format. Kallis has the second-most Test tons (45).
Hadlee, Imran, and Warne: 8 awards
New Zealand's Sir Richard Hadlee, Pakistan's Imran Khan, and Australia's Shane Warne jointly occupy the joint-third spot on this list. The trio has been adjudged the Player of the Series eight times each in Tests.
