India captain Shubman Gill has been named the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s Player of the Month for September, extending his record as the most frequent winner of the award in men’s cricket. Fellow Indian Shafali Verma secured the women’s honour after a series of outstanding performances that helped her country win titles at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Gill’s latest achievement marks the fifth time he has received the monthly award. His performances against the West Indies towards the end of September proved decisive, with the right-handed batter producing two remarkable innings in consecutive One-Day Internationals (ODIs). He has now matched the overall record of five monthly awards held by West Indies women’s cricketer Hayley Matthews, making him one of the most frequently recognised players since the award was introduced.
The Indian captain played only two matches during September, but his contribution in both was exceptional. He scored 110 off 108 deliveries in the first ODI against the West Indies before producing an unbeaten 223 from 133 balls in the second. His double century featured an array of attacking strokes and established several milestones, including a record for the fastest double century, according to the report.
India chased down a target of 406, securing victory with 39 balls to spare. Gill’s ability to combine sustained scoring with aggressive stroke play proved central to the successful pursuit and strengthened his case for the monthly award.
In the voting, Gill finished ahead of fellow Indian Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza. His previous Player of the Month awards came in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025.
Speaking after receiving the recognition for the fifth time, Gill expressed gratitude to the selection panel and said he was particularly pleased with his performances in front of home supporters. He described contributing to a successful run chase as a special experience, acknowledging the encouragement the crowd provides to the team.
Gill also reflected on the changing demands of ODI cricket. The format, he said, has become considerably faster, requiring players to assess match situations quickly and adapt to the pitch and the target. With the next men’s ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in South Africa in 2027, he said India were determined to improve further and develop a stronger, more balanced squad capable of meeting the challenges ahead.
Shafali Verma’s All-Round Excellence Earns Recognition
Shafali Verma was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for September following an impressive run of performances across two major competitions. The 22-year-old opener won the award for the second time, having previously received the honour in November 2025. She finished ahead of Indian spinner Sree Charani and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu in the latest selection.
Shafali’s contribution to India’s success at the Asia Cup was particularly significant. She scored 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61 and claimed six wickets, demonstrating her value as both a batter and a bowler.
Her performances in the knockout stages were equally influential. She struck 64 from 40 balls in the semi-final before scoring 68 off 39 deliveries in the final. Those innings helped India maintain their attacking approach at crucial moments, and Shafali was rewarded with both the Player of the Match award in the final and the Player of the Tournament title.
She carried that form into the cricket competition at the Asian Games, where her contributions again helped India secure the gold medal.
Against Japan, Shafali scored an unbeaten 40 from just 15 deliveries and took two wickets. She then delivered a commanding performance in the semi-final against Bangladesh, scoring an unbeaten century from 49 balls. In the gold medal match, she added 48 from 29 deliveries and claimed another two wickets.
Her ability to influence matches in both disciplines made her one of India’s most valuable performers during the month. While her aggressive batting provided momentum at the top of the order, her bowling offered the team another option when it needed breakthroughs.
After receiving her second monthly award, Shafali described the recognition as a tremendous honour. She said contributing to India’s victories at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games had been deeply satisfying, adding that the award made those achievements even more memorable.
The opener also expressed enthusiasm about the challenges ahead, particularly the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy scheduled for February. She said she was determined to continue performing at her best and looked forward to competing in another major international tournament. Reflecting on India’s World Cup triumph, she added that the memories remained fresh and special, while the prospect of playing in an ICC event on home soil was especially exciting.
India’s Double Success Highlights Its Cricketing Strength
September’s awards mark the fifth occasion on which players from the same country have won the men’s and women’s monthly honours simultaneously. India has accounted for three of those double victories.
In June 2024, India’s Smriti Mandhana and Jasprit Bumrah received the respective awards. The country achieved the same distinction again in September 2025, when Mandhana and Abhishek Sharma were recognised.
Gill and Shafali’s latest achievements underline the depth of Indian cricket across both teams. Gill’s record-breaking batting against the West Indies demonstrated his growing influence in the ODI format, while Shafali’s performances across two multi-team competitions highlighted her versatility and attacking ability.
For Gill, the fifth award represents another milestone in an already distinguished career and reinforces his status among the leading batters in men’s international cricket. For Shafali, the recognition rewards a month in which she consistently delivered with both bat and ball, helping India turn strong individual performances into major team successes.
Their simultaneous recognition provides a further boost to Indian cricket as both teams prepare for the demands of future international competitions.