Shubman Gill pips Abhishek Sharma to make history with fifth ICC Player of the Month award as Shafali Verma completes India's double
toi
newspoint|13-10-2026
NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill has extended his dominance at the ICC Player of the Month awards, while Shafali Verma has added another individual honour to India's recent run of success, with the two stars named the men's and women's Players of the Month for September.
Gill claimed the award for a record fifth time in the men's category after a sensational ODI series against the West Indies, while Shafali earned her second monthly honour following influential performances in India's Women's Asia Cup and Asian Games triumphs. The double marked the third time India have swept both awards in the same month.
Gill's latest recognition puts him alongside West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who has also won the ICC Player of the Month award five times across the men's and women's categories.
Gill's record fifth award after stunning ODI double
Gill's September campaign was headlined by two remarkable innings against the West Indies. He began with a commanding 110 in the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, helping India secure an eight-wicket victory and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The India captain raised the bar in the next match, smashing 223 off just 133 deliveries in a breathtaking display of strokeplay. His innings powered India through a successful chase of 406, with the hosts winning by eight wickets with 39 balls to spare.
The double-century was the quickest in ODI history, adding another milestone to Gill's growing list of achievements.
“It feels fantastic to win my fifth ICC Player of the Month award, and I am grateful to the panel for this honour. It was immensely satisfying to score those runs and even more special to be part of successful run chases in front of our home fans, whose support always gives us an extra boost,” Gill said.
The right-hander also highlighted the evolving demands of ODI cricket and India's preparations for the next men's World Cup.
“The pace of ODI cricket has gone up significantly, and you must think on your feet, assess the conditions quickly and adapt to the demands of the pitch and the target. With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in southern Africa next year, we are determined to keep raising our standards and build a strong and balanced team capable of rising to the challenges ahead,” he added.
Gill's previous monthly awards came in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025. His fifth win further extends his record in the men's category.
Shafali completes India's double after Asia Cup and Asian Games heroics
Shafali's September recognition reflects her impact across two major tournaments, where her aggressive batting and useful contributions with the ball helped India enjoy a successful run.
The opener finished as India's leading run-scorer during their Women's Asia Cup-winning campaign, accumulating 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61. She also picked up six wickets during the period, underlining her all-round contribution.
She carried that form into the Asian Games, producing an unbeaten 100 against Bangladesh in the semi-final before scoring 48 in the final against Sri Lanka.
“It is an incredible honour to win the ICC Player of the Month award again. It was immensely satisfying to play my part in our victories at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, and winning this award makes those triumphs even more special,” Shafali said.
The award is her second, following her first win in November 2025 after a match-winning performance in the Women's World Cup final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai.
“I am excited about the months ahead and determined to keep performing at my best, with the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in February next year, another tournament to look forward to. The memory of winning the World Cup is still so fresh and special, and I can’t wait to be back on the field for an ICC tournament on home soil. It promises to be an unforgettable experience!” she added.
India achieve the award double for third time
India's latest sweep is the fifth occasion in the award's history that players from the same cricket board have won both monthly honours, and the third time India have achieved the feat.
Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana claimed the men's and women's awards in June 2024, while Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana completed the double in September 2025.
The September men's shortlist also featured India opener Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and India left-arm spinner Sree Charani were nominated in the women's category.
Gill claimed the award for a record fifth time in the men's category after a sensational ODI series against the West Indies, while Shafali earned her second monthly honour following influential performances in India's Women's Asia Cup and Asian Games triumphs. The double marked the third time India have swept both awards in the same month.
Gill's latest recognition puts him alongside West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who has also won the ICC Player of the Month award five times across the men's and women's categories.
Gill's record fifth award after stunning ODI double
Gill's September campaign was headlined by two remarkable innings against the West Indies. He began with a commanding 110 in the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, helping India secure an eight-wicket victory and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The India captain raised the bar in the next match, smashing 223 off just 133 deliveries in a breathtaking display of strokeplay. His innings powered India through a successful chase of 406, with the hosts winning by eight wickets with 39 balls to spare.
The double-century was the quickest in ODI history, adding another milestone to Gill's growing list of achievements.
“It feels fantastic to win my fifth ICC Player of the Month award, and I am grateful to the panel for this honour. It was immensely satisfying to score those runs and even more special to be part of successful run chases in front of our home fans, whose support always gives us an extra boost,” Gill said.
The right-hander also highlighted the evolving demands of ODI cricket and India's preparations for the next men's World Cup.
“The pace of ODI cricket has gone up significantly, and you must think on your feet, assess the conditions quickly and adapt to the demands of the pitch and the target. With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in southern Africa next year, we are determined to keep raising our standards and build a strong and balanced team capable of rising to the challenges ahead,” he added.
Gill's previous monthly awards came in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025. His fifth win further extends his record in the men's category.
Shafali completes India's double after Asia Cup and Asian Games heroics
Shafali's September recognition reflects her impact across two major tournaments, where her aggressive batting and useful contributions with the ball helped India enjoy a successful run.
The opener finished as India's leading run-scorer during their Women's Asia Cup-winning campaign, accumulating 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61. She also picked up six wickets during the period, underlining her all-round contribution.
She carried that form into the Asian Games, producing an unbeaten 100 against Bangladesh in the semi-final before scoring 48 in the final against Sri Lanka.
“It is an incredible honour to win the ICC Player of the Month award again. It was immensely satisfying to play my part in our victories at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, and winning this award makes those triumphs even more special,” Shafali said.
The award is her second, following her first win in November 2025 after a match-winning performance in the Women's World Cup final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai.
“I am excited about the months ahead and determined to keep performing at my best, with the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in February next year, another tournament to look forward to. The memory of winning the World Cup is still so fresh and special, and I can’t wait to be back on the field for an ICC tournament on home soil. It promises to be an unforgettable experience!” she added.
India achieve the award double for third time
India's latest sweep is the fifth occasion in the award's history that players from the same cricket board have won both monthly honours, and the third time India have achieved the feat.
Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana claimed the men's and women's awards in June 2024, while Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana completed the double in September 2025.
The September men's shortlist also featured India opener Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and India left-arm spinner Sree Charani were nominated in the women's category.
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