Dubai, October 13, 2026: India achieved a double triumph at the ICC Player of the Month awards for September 2026, with Shubman Gill winning the Men’s Player of the Month honour and Shafali Verma receiving the Women’s Player of the Month award. Gill claimed the recognition for a record fifth time, while Shafali secured her second monthly award following impressive performances in international cricket.
Gill Wins Record Fifth Monthly Award
Shubman Gill’s latest achievement takes his tally of ICC Player of the Month awards to five, the most by any male player.
His previous wins came in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025. The September award adds another milestone to the Indian batter’s international career.
Impressive ODI Series Against West Indies
Gill’s award-winning performances were built around a remarkable ODI series against the West Indies. He scored 333 runs across two matches, including a century in the opening game and an unbeaten double century in the second.
His consistency and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations played a key role in securing the monthly honour.
Unbeaten 223 Creates ODI History
The standout performance came in the second ODI in Guwahati, where Gill smashed an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls as India chased a target of 406.
He reached the double-century mark in 117 balls, setting a new benchmark for the fastest double century in ODI cricket, according to the ICC report. His innings also became the highest individual score in a successful ODI run chase.
Gill Beats Abhishek Sharma and Sikandar Raza
Gill won the men’s award ahead of fellow Indian batter Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who were also nominated for their performances during September.
The result underlined Gill’s outstanding month in the 50-over format and his contribution to India’s successful campaign against the West Indies.
Shafali Verma Wins Women’s Award
Shafali Verma earned the Women’s Player of the Month award after an impressive month with both bat and ball.
She scored 360 runs in seven T20 internationals at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 184.61. She also claimed six wickets, demonstrating her value as an all-round contributor to the Indian team.
Shafali Shines in Asia Cup Triumph
Shafali played a major role in India’s successful Women’s Asia Cup campaign, finishing as the team’s leading run-scorer.
She accumulated 236 runs in five innings, producing important contributions in both the semifinal and final as India secured the title.
Her performances helped establish her as one of the key contributors to India’s success during the month.
Maiden T20I Century at Asian Games
Shafali continued her strong form at the Asian Games in Japan, scoring 188 runs across three innings.
Her standout innings was an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls against Bangladesh in the semifinal. It was her maiden T20I century and helped India progress towards winning the gold medal.
All-Round Contributions Strengthen Shafali’s Case
Alongside her batting performances, Shafali contributed with her off-spin bowling, taking four wickets at the Asian Games and two during the Asia Cup.
Her performances also helped her move into the top four of the ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings, reflecting her growing influence in the international format.
Second Monthly Award for Shafali
This is Shafali’s second ICC Player of the Month award. She first received the honour in November 2025 after helping India win the Women’s Cricket World Cup on home soil.
Her latest recognition further highlights her contribution to India’s success across major international competitions.
India Sweeps Both Monthly Awards
The double victory marks the fifth occasion on which players from the same national cricket board have won both the men’s and women’s monthly awards in the same month. It is India’s third such double, according to the ICC.
The achievement reflects the strong performances delivered by Indian players across both international teams during September.
Awards Decided by Fans and Expert Panel
The ICC Player of the Month winners are selected through a voting process involving registered fans and a specialist panel comprising former international cricketers and media representatives.
Gill and Shafali’s victories recognise their performances during September 2026 and add another milestone to India’s recent international cricket achievements.
Sources – International Cricket Council, The Indian Express
Supreme News Network
