India captain Shubman Gill has been named the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s Player of the Month for September, becoming the most frequent winner of the award in men’s cricket with his fifth triumph. Fellow Indian Shafali Verma claimed the women’s honour after playing a decisive role in her country’s success at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Gill’s latest recognition follows two exceptional performances against the West Indies in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. Although he played only two matches during September, his outstanding run-scoring was enough to secure the monthly award. He has now won the men’s prize five times, a record in the category. Across men’s and women’s cricket combined, only West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews has also reached five wins.
The Indian captain began his impressive run with 110 off 108 balls in the first ODI against the West Indies. He then produced an unbeaten 223 from 133 deliveries in the second match, an innings that included a succession of attacking strokes and established several notable milestones.
India chased down a target of 406, completing the victory with 39 balls to spare. Gill’s double century was central to the successful pursuit, demonstrating his ability to combine calculated aggression with the composure required to handle a demanding target. His performance also helped underline the increasing importance of adaptable batting in modern ODI cricket.
Gill secured the award ahead of fellow Indian Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza. His previous monthly honours came in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025. The latest award adds another distinction to a career that has already brought him considerable recognition in international cricket.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Gill said winning the award for a fifth time was a special feeling and thanked the selection panel. He also highlighted the significance of performing in front of home supporters, describing his contribution to a successful run chase as particularly satisfying.
Gill acknowledged that ODI cricket had become considerably faster, requiring players to read match situations quickly and adapt their approach to the pitch and the target. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa approaching, he said India were determined to improve their standards and develop a strong, balanced squad capable of meeting the challenges ahead.
His comments reflect the changing demands of the 50-over format, where teams must strike a balance between aggressive scoring and sound decision-making. Gill’s performances against the West Indies illustrated both qualities, as he turned promising starts into substantial scores and helped India complete a difficult chase with time to spare.
Shafali Verma Earns Recognition for All-Round Excellence
Shafali Verma was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for September after a series of outstanding performances at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games. The 22-year-old Indian opener received the award for the second time, having previously won it in November 2025.
She finished ahead of fellow Indian spinner Sree Charani and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu in the voting. Shafali’s success reflected her impact in both batting and bowling, with her aggressive approach at the crease helping India maintain momentum in crucial matches.
At the Asia Cup, Shafali scored 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61 and claimed six wickets. Her performances in the knockout stages were particularly influential. She scored 64 from 40 balls in the semi-final before making 68 off 39 deliveries in the final.
Those contributions earned her both the Player of the Match award in the final and the Player of the Tournament accolade. Her ability to score quickly while also contributing with the ball made her one of the standout performers of the competition.
Shafali carried that form into the cricket tournament at the Asian Games. Against Japan, she struck an unbeaten 40 from just 15 deliveries and took two wickets. She then delivered a commanding performance against Bangladesh in the semi-final, scoring an unbeaten century from 49 balls.
In the gold medal match, Shafali added 48 from 29 deliveries and claimed another two wickets. Her performances across the tournament demonstrated her value as an all-round option for India, particularly in matches where momentum could shift quickly.
The monthly award recognises not only her prolific run-scoring but also her consistency across two major competitions. Shafali’s contributions helped India secure important victories, while her ability to influence matches with both bat and ball strengthened the team’s overall balance.
After receiving the honour, Shafali described the award as a tremendous privilege. She said contributing to India’s victories at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games had been deeply satisfying, adding that the recognition made those achievements even more memorable.
She also expressed enthusiasm about the challenges ahead, particularly the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy scheduled for February. Shafali said she was determined to continue performing at her best and was looking forward to another major international competition. Reflecting on India’s World Cup triumph, she said the memories remained fresh and special, while the prospect of playing in an ICC event on home soil was especially exciting.
India Records Another Double Award Success
The September honours mark the fifth occasion on which players from the same country have won the ICC’s men’s and women’s monthly awards in the same month. India has achieved this distinction three times.
In June 2024, India’s Smriti Mandhana and Jasprit Bumrah won the women’s and men’s awards respectively. The country repeated the feat in September 2025, when Mandhana and Abhishek Sharma were recognised in their respective categories.
Gill and Shafali’s latest achievements add to that record and highlight India’s strength across both sides of the international game. Gill’s record-setting batting against the West Indies showcased his ability to dominate in ODI cricket, while Shafali’s performances across two competitions demonstrated her versatility and attacking instincts.
For Gill, the fifth award represents another milestone in his career and reinforces his standing among the leading batters in men’s cricket. For Shafali, it rewards a month in which her contributions with both bat and ball helped India achieve success on major stages.
Their simultaneous recognition provides another positive moment for Indian cricket as both teams look towards future international challenges.
