There have been some unusual and controversial choices for "Man of the Match". While rare, a player from the losing side can win the award for an extraordinary performance. A famous example is Anil Kumble, who took 4 wickets for 16 runs in the 2009 IPL final, but his team still lost. He was, however, named Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling effort. In some cases, the award seems to be given for reasons beyond simple numbers. Sometimes, a captain who made brilliant tactical decisions might win it despite a low score or few wickets. There have also been instances where a player's innings, while not a century, was crucial in a difficult situation and earned them the award over someone with a higher score.
The awards themselves have been famously bizarre over the years. Players have received a 2.5 kg fish, a blender, a lawnmower, a plot of land, and even a bag of snacks. The award is not just about a player's performance, but also about the whims of the sponsors!
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