Daryl Mitchell and Sobhana Mostary Named ICC Players of the Month for January 2026

In January 2026, Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand and Sobhana Mostary of Bangladesh were awarded the ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month titles, respectively. Mitchell's back-to-back centuries led New Zealand to their first ODI series win in India, while Mostary's stellar performance in the Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier secured Bangladesh's spot in the upcoming tournament. Their remarkable achievements highlight their significant contributions to their teams and the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 20:31 IST

Outstanding Performances Recognized

Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand and Sobhana Mostary of Bangladesh have been honored with the ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for January 2026. Mitchell's remarkable back-to-back centuries played a crucial role in leading the Kiwis to their inaugural ODI series victory in India, clinching the series 2-1.

Mitchell's Key Contributions

The Black Caps all-rounder triumphed over notable contenders such as Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and England's Joe Root for this accolade, as reported by the ICC. The three-match ODI series saw New Zealand recover from an initial loss to win the series decisively.

Mitchell's pivotal contributions included an unbeaten 131 in the second match, followed by an impressive 137 in the third match, propelling his team to a formidable total of 337/8. This score proved insurmountable for India, despite Virat Kohli's commendable 124 and contributions from Nitish Kumar Reddy.

In total, Mitchell amassed 352 runs at an average of 176, earning him the 'Player of the Series' title. His stellar performances also reinstated him at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings. In the subsequent five-match T20I series against the same rivals, he scored 125 runs with a striking rate of 186.56.

Mostary's Exceptional Qualifier Performance

Meanwhile, Sobhana Mostary's exceptional display during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier earned her the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for January 2026. She was nominated alongside Gaby Lewis, the captain of Ireland, and American pacer Tara Norris.

Mostary's performance in the global qualifier was outstanding, as she scored 229 runs at an average of 45.80 and a strike rate of 145.85 across her first six matches. Her efforts were instrumental in Bangladesh finishing the tournament unbeaten, securing their place in the upcoming marquee event later this year.

Bangladesh solidified their spot for the tournament scheduled for June and July with a 39-run victory over Thailand, where Mostary was named 'Player of the Match' for her 59 runs. She continued her impressive form with another significant innings of 47 against Scotland.