'Better way would be asking Twitter' - Fans react as Aakash Chopra explains how and who decides Player of the Match

Aakash Chopra (Source: Twitter)

A Player of the Match award is often given to the most outstanding player in a particular game. This can be a player from either team, though the winning team is usually chosen. At times, fans will be disappointed with the chosen player as they feel that the deserving candidate did not get the award. People are always curious to know who would adjudicate the POTM match in each game, and former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has disclosed the information.

On Friday, May 12, Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by a margin of 27 runs in a high-scoring thriller at their home ground. There were two individual great performances at the Wankhede - the first from Suryakumar Yadav who scored his maiden IPL century and the next from Rashid Khan who displayed all-round heroics. While both were equally deserving of the POTM award, it was MI star batter SKY who was honoured.

Many were disappointed with the match adjudicators for not awarding the trophy to the Afghanistan spinner. Former KKR batter Chopra praised Rashid's innings on his Twitter account and expressed his displeasure with Yadav receiving the award. Following that, the 45-year-old revealed on Saturday how and who decides the POTM award.

"Those who keep wondering how and who decides the POTM award…there’s ONE commentator from the World Feed (English) who’s nominated to be the adjudicator for every game. So, it’s always down to just ‘that’ person to decide who gets the award," the right-handed batter tweeted.

Those who keep wondering how and who decides the POTM award…there’s ONE commentator from the World Feed (English) who’s nominated to be the adjudicator for every game. So, it’s always down to just ‘that’ person to decide who gets the award. ✌️

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 13, 2023

My most valuable player is not Suryakumar Yadav: Chopra

Suryakumar Yadav lit up the show, smashing 103* off 49 balls and helping the hosts set a mammoth 219-run target. The 32-year-old made a mockery of the GT blowers by hitting boundaries all over the ground. However, his 360° show was overshadowed by Rashid Khan’s four-wicket haul and a stunning half-century.

Reacting to SKY's selection as the POTM match, Chopra said: "The most valuable player of the match in my humble opinion, is not Suryakumar Yadav. The most valuable player is Rashid Khan. If he had gotten a little help from someone else, if they were not 55/5, Rashid Khan would have single-handedly won them the match.

"218 runs were scored, and in that, he picked up four wickets, which included the wickets of both openers, then Nehal Wadhera's wicket and Tim David's wicket later. What more can anyone do?" he added.

Here's how fans reacted:

Ek poll hi kra dete fir...🙂

— ΣR V̷i̷r̷a̷n̷î ̷J̷ìg̷n̷e̷s̷h̷෴🐼🇮🇳 (@iJigneshVirani) May 13, 2023

This is unfair it should be by vote of at least 3 people

— kkkkllllllll (@hshdiduiriri) May 13, 2023

Joint POTM award should be there in ipl

— Sandeep Kumar Pandey (@sandeep07kp) May 13, 2023

TBH, impact wise both knocks had equal impact on their respective team. Just one impact knock helped win a team, so he was chosen.. if you take match as a whole, it definitely will look Rashid’s is better. But does he need certificate??

— Hariprathap (@Haripra57545356) May 13, 2023

Player of the match means the player whose contribution helps the team to win.

— Sanjay Singh (@sanju_304) May 13, 2023

I think the right should be given to public.... The public should be able to vote the POTM of every match like they vote for Catch of the Season, Emerging Player, etc...

— S.A.S Official 🗯️ (@sasofficial23) May 13, 2023

I think better way would be asking twitter

— pup (@pup100) May 13, 2023

Thank you for sharing the information. I was always curious about it

— Ronak Shah (@ronakshah157) May 13, 2023

Yesterday was the most difficult choice no matter whom they choose it would be questioned..

— Puneet Bhawnani (@capuneetkumar) May 13, 2023

ONE?? I thought everyone from the world feed decided on a voting basis

— Soumya 👨‍⚕️🩺 (@srdsom_) May 13, 2023

Don't you think IPL should start giving shared POTM awards from now? Considering how many brilliant performances came in losing cause this season

— Rohit Ka Deewana 💙 (@itssamyakk) May 13, 2023