How is the Man of the Series Decided in Cricket? Official Criteria Explained

The Man of the Series (or Player of the Series) award at the end of a bilateral tournament or IPL season is decided by an official selection panel, not by a public vote. Here are the exact criteria.

Who decides Man of the Series?

A panel of the broadcaster's expert commentators + match referees + one BCCI representative. 5–7 people total.

Selection criteria

1. Runs or wickets across the series — the base statistical filter.
2. Match-winning impact — contributions in games that decided the series.
3. Consistency — at least 50% of matches with a meaningful contribution.
4. Versatility — all-rounders often win close calls.

Pre-tournament announcement

Criteria and selection panel are disclosed in the pre-tournament playing conditions document.

Man of the Series vs Man of the Match

Man of the Match is decided per-game by the broadcaster's commentary panel. Man of the Series is cumulative across the tournament.

IPL Most Valuable Player (MVP)

In IPL, the MVP is calculated using a points algorithm across all league matches. See IPL 2026 Man of the Match list.

Famous examples

Ravindra Jadeja won multiple Test Man of the Series awards for dual batting-bowling contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who selects Man of the Series in cricket?

An official selection panel of commentators, match referees, and a BCCI representative — typically 5–7 people.

Is Man of the Series voted by the public?

No — it is a panel decision based on official criteria.

How is the IPL MVP different from Man of the Series?

IPL MVP uses a points algorithm across all matches; Man of the Series is subjective panel choice.

Can a player win Man of the Series despite being on the losing side?

Yes — individual brilliance counts. Multiple examples across cricket history.

Is there a prize money for Man of the Series?

Yes — varies by tournament. IPL MVP prize money is ₹12 lakh.

The takeaway

Bookmark the IPL 2026 points table, check the live schedule, and use our Dream11 tools before you lock your fantasy team. CricJosh updates every hub after every match — no stale data.