Shubman Gill wins record fifth ICC award, Shafali Verma claims women’s honour

Indian men’s captain Shubman Gill and women’s opener Shafali Verma won the ICC Player of the Month and Player of the Month awards for September 2026. Gill was honored for her performances against West Indies in ODIs, while Shafali’s award came after her contribution to India’s Asia Cup and Asian Games triumph.

Gill has now won the men’s award five times, equaling West Indies captain Hayley Matthews’ record for the most monthly honours. His previous wins came in January and September 2023 and February and July 2025.

For Shafali, this is her second Player of the Month award. She won it for the first time in November 2025 after playing a key role in India’s Women’s World Cup triumph, including her match-winner in the final against South Africa.

Both players were central to India’s success during September, with Gill producing two key innings against the West Indies and Shafali performing consistently with both bat and ball.

GILL’S RECORD ODI SHOW

Gill scored 110 in the first ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram before hitting 223 off 133 balls in the next match. His double century helped India chase down 406 with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls to spare. The innings was the fastest double century in ODI history.

“It feels fantastic to win my fifth ICC Player of the Month award and I am grateful to the jury for this honour,” said Gill.

Gill also pointed to the changing demands of ODI cricket, particularly the need to assess the conditions and adapt to the target during the chase.

“The pace of ODI cricket has increased significantly and you have to think on your feet, assess the conditions quickly and adapt to the demands of the pitch and target,” he added.

SHAFALI SHINES WITH BAT AND BALL

Shafali scored 360 runs in seven T20Is in September at an average of 72 at a strike rate of 184.61. She also took six wickets at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 4.33.

At the Women’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates, she finished as the leading run scorer with 236 runs in five innings. She scored 64 in the semi-final against Bangladesh and 68 in the final against Sri Lanka as India won a record eighth title.

Shafali carried her form into the Asian Games in Nagoya where she scored 188 runs in three innings. Her unbeaten 100 off 49 balls against Bangladesh in the semi-final was her first T20I century. She then scored 48 in the gold medal match against Sri Lanka, which India won by 147 runs. She also took four goals at the Games, including two in the final.

“It’s an incredible honor to win the ICC Player of the Month award again,” said Shafali. “It was immensely satisfying to play a part in our victories at the Asian Cup and Asian Games and winning this award makes those triumphs even more special.”

India has now surpassed both monthly prices on several occasions. Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana won the men’s and women’s honors in June 2024, while Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana did so in September 2025.

– The end