Asian Games gold medalist Abhishek Sharma, Shafali Verma among 4 Indians nominated for ICC Player of the Month award

India Abhishek Sharma and Shafali Verma (Agency Images) India’s dominant run in international cricket has earned four of its stars a place in the ICC Player of the Month shortlist for September, with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma nominated in the men’s category, while Shafali Verma and Shree Charani are among the women’s nominees.Gill is in contention for a record fifth ICC Player of the Month award, while Abhishek has been shortlisted after producing one of the most explosive T20I innings of the month.Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza is the next nominee in the men’s category, while Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu joins Shafali and Charani on the women’s shortlist.

Gill is eyeing a fifth Player of the Month award

Gill enjoyed a sensational September in ODIs against the West Indies, scoring 333 runs in two matches. The India captain started the series with a century in Thiruvananthapuram, scoring 110 in the opening ODI.He then produced a breathtaking 223 off just 133 balls, registering the fastest ODI double century and propelling India to a successful chase of 406 with eight wickets and 39 balls to spare. Gill’s latest nomination gives him another chance to add to his ICC Player of the Month collection.

Abhishek set a new T20I record

Abhishek Sharma was equally destructive in the shortest format, smashing 229 runs in four T20Is during September. His standout performance came against Afghanistan when he smashed an amazing 108 off 34 balls, including a record 30-ball century.The knock made him the fastest Indian to score a T20I century, surpassing Rohit Sharma’s previous mark of 35 balls. Abhishek, who won the ICC Player of the Month award in September last year, will now look to win the award again.

Shafali leads India’s Asia Cup charge

Shafali Verma’s explosive bat has earned her a place in the women’s shortlist after a prolific month across formats. The opener amassed 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61 to finish as the top scorer in India’s successful Asia Cup campaign.She also contributed with the ball, conceding six goals during the period. At the Asian Games, Shafali continued her impressive run as she smashed an unbeaten hundred in the semi-final against Bangladesh and scored 48 in the gold medal match against Sri Lanka.

Charani breaks ICC ranking record

Shree Charani’s outstanding glow has also earned her recognition. The spinner claimed 18 wickets in seven T20Is at an impressive economy rate of 3.30. Her best moment came in the final of the Asian Games where she returned figures of 2/13 to help India secure the gold medal. The performance took Charani to 817 rating points, the most ever recorded in the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings.

Raza, Athapaththu complete the shortlist

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza received the nomination after becoming the top scorer in his team’s home ODI series against Australia. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu was lauded for her all-round impact with both bat and ball during the Asia Cup and Asian Games.