Gill claims ICC player of the month award

Record-breaking double century seals September’s top individual honour

India batsman Shubman Gill has been named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for September 2026, the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed on Tuesday.

He won the award ahead of fellow nominees Abhishek Sharma of India and Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza.

Gill scored 333 runs in India's first two ODIs against West Indies, with a century in the opener and an unbeaten double century in the second. India won both matches by eight wickets.

In the first ODI, in Thiruvananthapuram on 27 September, Gill made 110 off 108 balls as India chased down West Indies' 295/7. India reached the target of 296 in 41.4 overs.

Three days later in Guwahati, West Indies made 405/7, their first ODI total above 400. Gill, captaining India, responded with an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls, including 26 fours and eight sixes, and India finished on 406/2 in 43.3 overs with 39 balls to spare. He reached his hundred in 62 balls, the fastest by an Indian captain in ODIs, and his double century in 117 balls, the fastest in ODI history. It is also the highest individual score in a successful ODI chase. Gill and Rohit Sharma (101 off 75 balls) put on 255 for the opening wicket, India's highest partnership on home soil. The chase was the second-highest successful one in ODI history, behind only South Africa's 438/9 against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006.

India went on to win the three-match series 2-1 after West Indies took the third ODI on 3 October.

This is Gill's fifth ICC Men's Player of the Month award, after wins in January 2023, September 2023, February 2025 and July 2025, extending his record as the men's player with the most wins.

The most recent Indian men's winner was Sanju Samson, in March 2026. Indian men have now won the award 17 times across 11 players, including Gill's five victories.

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

"It was immensely satisfying to score those runs and even more special to be part of successful run chases in front of our home fans, whose support always gives us an extra boost." he added.

The Indian captain also addressed the changing nature of the game and how important it is to adapt to it.

“The pace of ODI cricket has gone up significantly, and you must think on your feet, assess the conditions quickly and adapt to the demands of the pitch," he said.

"With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in southern Africa next year, we are determined to keep raising our standards and build a strong, well-rounded team capable of rising to the challenges ahead," he added.

India’s all-rounder Shafali Verma wins ICC Women’s Player of the Month award:

Shafali Verma has been unveiled as the ICC Women's Player of the Month for the month of September 2026.

It is the second time Shafali has won the monthly award, with the 22-year-old first tasting success in November last year when she helped India claim the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup on home soil.

“It is an incredible honour to win the ICC Player of the Month award again," Shafali said.

"It was immensely satisfying to play my part in our victories at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, and winning this award makes those triumphs even more special."

Shafali said she was already looking forward to India's upcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe and she had one eye on next year's ICC Champions Trophy event.

“I am excited about the months ahead and determined to keep performing at my best, with the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in February next year another tournament to look forward to," she added.

"The memory of winning the World Cup is still so fresh and special, and I can’t wait to be back on the field for an ICC tournament on home soil. It promises to be an unforgettable experience!”

The explosive opener's crowning moment comes on the back of India's win at last month's Asia Cup as well as the gold medal triumph at the recently concluded Asian Games in Nagoya.

Shafali scored 360 runs in seven T20Is, averaging a sensational 72 and boasting a strike rate of 184.61. The right-arm off-spinner also contributed six wickets at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 4.33.

The 22-year-old was the leading run-scorer at the Asia Cup in UAE with 236 runs in five innings, including a knock of 64 in the semi-final against Bangladesh and 68 in the final against Sri Lanka, as India secured a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title. 

She continued her form at the Asian Games in Japan, scoring 188 runs in three innings. That included an unbeaten 40 against Japan before she produced a maiden T20I century against Bangladesh, smashing 100 off 49 balls in the semi-final.

The opener climbed into the top four on the ICC Women's T20I batting rankings as well.