Shubman Gill Wins Record Fifth ICC Player Of The Month Award, Shafali Verma Completes India’s Double

Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma have won the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for September 2026, giving India a clean sweep of the international cricket honours. Gill claimed the men’s award for a record fifth time, beating fellow Indian Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, while Verma secured the women’s award for the second time in her career.

Gill’s recognition follows a remarkable run of performances in India’s ODI series against the West Indies. Verma, meanwhile, was rewarded for her contributions to India’s successful campaigns at the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.

Gill’s batting performances during September proved decisive in the voting. The Indian batter scored a century in the first ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, helping India chase down a target of 296 runs.

He followed that effort with a spectacular double-century in the second ODI. Gill smashed an unbeaten 223 off 133 deliveries as India successfully chased 406, producing one of the standout innings of his international career.

His knock included 26 fours and eight sixes, with the double-century coming off just 117 balls. The performance underlined his ability to combine consistency with attacking stroke play in the 50-over format.

Gill’s fifth ICC Men’s Player of the Month award extends his record in the category. He previously won the honour in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025.

Abhishek Sharma was also nominated after an impressive period, but Gill’s performances against the West Indies ultimately earned him the recognition.

Verma completed India’s double after a productive month across international competitions. The opening batter scored 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61 and also claimed six wickets during the period.

Her contributions were particularly important during India’s Women’s Asia Cup campaign, where she emerged as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. She carried that form into the Asian Games, scoring an unbeaten century against Bangladesh in the semifinal before making 48 runs in the final against Sri Lanka.

India’s victories in both competitions highlighted Verma’s value as an aggressive opener who can change the course of a match quickly.

The award is her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month honour. She previously received the recognition in November 2025 after playing a key role in India’s Women’s World Cup triumph.

India’s double success adds another milestone to the country’s recent record in the monthly awards. Indian cricketers had previously won both honours in June 2024, when Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were recognised, and in September 2025, when Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana collected the awards.

Gill’s record fifth win reflects his growing stature in international cricket, while Verma’s latest honour recognises her influence across two major competitions. Together, their achievements make September a memorable month for Indian cricket.