Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma Shine as ICC Players of the Month
Shubman Gill Achieves Historic Fifth ICC Player of the Month Award
On Tuesday, Shubman Gill, the captain of the Indian cricket team, was awarded the ICC Men's Player of the Month for an unprecedented fifth time, thanks to his remarkable performance during the ODI series against the West Indies. Meanwhile, Shafali Verma earned the women's accolade for her stellar contributions in both the Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Gill's achievement places him alongside West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who has also received the ICC Player of the Month honor five times. The 27-year-old cricketer had previously been recognized in January and September of 2023, as well as February and July of 2025.
"Winning my fifth ICC Player of the Month award feels amazing, and I appreciate the panel for this recognition," expressed Gill, who scored an impressive 110 runs in the first ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram.
He later made history by scoring the fastest double-century, amassing 223 runs off just 133 balls, which propelled his team to chase down a daunting target of 406 runs with eight wickets remaining and 39 balls to spare.
"Scoring those runs was incredibly fulfilling, especially in front of our home fans, whose support always motivates us," Gill remarked.
"The pace of ODI cricket has increased significantly, requiring players to think quickly, evaluate conditions, and adapt to the pitch and target demands."
Shafali Verma's Stellar Performance Earns Her ICC Women's Player of the Month
Shafali Verma, who previously won the award in November after her match-winning performance in the World Cup final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai, once again showcased her talent in crucial matches.
The aggressive opener was the top run-scorer for India during their Women's Asia Cup victory, accumulating 360 runs at an impressive strike rate of 184.61, while also contributing six wickets.
In the Asian Games, she scored an unbeaten 100 against Bangladesh in the semifinals and added 48 runs in the final against Sri Lanka.
"Winning the ICC Player of the Month award again is an incredible honor. Contributing to our victories in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games makes this recognition even more special," said the 22-year-old.
"I am looking forward to the upcoming months and am determined to maintain my performance, especially with the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy set for February next year. The memory of our World Cup victory is still fresh, and I can't wait to compete in another ICC tournament on home soil. It promises to be an unforgettable experience!"
Indian Cricketers Dominate ICC Awards
This marks the fifth occasion where players from the same national board have claimed both the men's and women's awards in a single month, with Indian cricketers achieving this feat twice before.
In June 2024, Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were honored, while Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana received accolades in September 2025.
The shortlist for this month's awards included several standout performers, with Abhishek and Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza vying for the men's award.
For the women's honor, Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu and India's left-arm spinner Sree Charani were also in contention.