Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma Awarded ICC Player of the Month for September 2026
India’s cricket stars, Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma, have been named the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month for September 2026. Gill earned the honor thanks to his outstanding performances against the West Indies in One Day Internationals (ODIs), while Verma’s achievements were recognized following her crucial role in India’s victories during the Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Shubman Gill has now received the men’s award five times, tying with West Indies captain Hayley Matthews for the most monthly accolades. He previously won in January and September of 2023, and in February and July of 2025.
This latest honor marks Shafali Verma’s second time winning the Player of the Month award, as she first took home the title in November 2025 for her instrumental role in India’s Women’s World Cup triumph, particularly her standout performance in the final against South Africa.
Both players were vital to India’s achievements in September, with Gill delivering impressive innings against the West Indies and Verma showcasing her talent with both bat and ball.
GILL’S RECORD-BREAKING ODI PERFORMANCE
In his remarkable outings against the West Indies, Gill scored 110 runs in the first ODI held in Thiruvananthapuram, and followed it up with a stunning 223 runs off just 133 balls in the next match. This double-century played a crucial role in helping India chase down a massive target of 406 runs, securing victory with eight wickets remaining and 39 balls to spare—marking the fastest double-century in ODI history.
“I’m thrilled to win my fifth ICC Player of the Month award, and I genuinely appreciate the recognition from the panel,” Gill expressed.
He also noted the evolving nature of ODI cricket, highlighting the importance of adjusting to various conditions and targets during a match. “The pace of ODI cricket has increased significantly. It’s vital to think quickly, read the pitch, and adapt your game accordingly,” he added.
SHAFALI EXCELS WITH BAT AND BALL
Shafali Verma had a spectacular month, tallying 360 runs in seven T20 International matches, averaging 72 with an impressive strike rate of 184.61. In addition, she took six wickets, boasting an average of 13 and an economy rate of 4.33.
During the Women’s Asia Cup in the UAE, Verma emerged as the top run-scorer, accumulating 236 runs in five innings. She contributed 64 runs in the semi-final against Bangladesh and scored 68 runs in the final against Sri Lanka, leading India to an eighth title.
Verma carried this momentum into the Asian Games held in Nagoya, where she scored 188 runs over three innings. She made headlines with her first T20I century, scoring 100 not out off 49 balls against Bangladesh in the semi-final, and followed that with 48 runs in the gold medal match against Sri Lanka, helping India win by a massive margin. She also took four wickets during the Games, including two in the final.
“It is truly an honor to win the ICC Player of the Month award again,” Shafali stated. “It was incredibly fulfilling to contribute to our team’s wins in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, and receiving this award makes those victories even more memorable.”
India has achieved the feat of winning both monthly awards several times. Previously, Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana secured the honors in June 2024, followed by Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana again in September 2025.
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