Shubman Gill Makes History: Wins ICC Player of the Month Award, Surpasses Abhishek Sharma

Indian cricket team captain Shubman Gill has scripted history by winning the prestigious ICC Men's Player of the Month award for September 2026. This achievement comes on the back of his extraordinary performance during the ODI series against the West Indies. Gill managed to secure this honor by surpassing his own teammate Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe's star cricketer Sikandar Raza, both of whom were nominated by the International Cricket Council for this award. With this win, Shubman Gill has become the first Indian player to win the ICC Player of the Month award five times, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Dominance Against West Indies

The primary reason behind Gill's selection for the September award was his sensational form during the initial stages of the ODI series against the West Indies. The series, which spanned from September to October, saw Gill at his absolute best in the first two matches played in September. In these two matches alone, the Indian captain amassed a staggering 333 runs. His performance was instrumental in India's dominance during the early part of the tour. In the first ODI, Gill set the tone with a brilliant century, scoring 110 runs. He followed this up with an even more destructive performance in the second match, where he remained unbeaten after scoring 223 runs. Although he faced a setback in the third match played in October, where he was dismissed for just 1 run, his contributions in the first two games were enough to secure the series for India, with both matches being won by 8 wickets.

Record-Breaking Double Century

Shubman Gill's unbeaten 223 runs in the second ODI wasn't just a high-scoring innings but a record-shattering one. He reached this massive total in just 133 balls, showcasing an incredible strike rate. During this innings, Gill hit 26 fours and 8 sixes, leaving the West Indian bowlers with no answers. One of the most remarkable aspects of this innings was the speed at which he reached his milestones. Gill completed his century in only 62 balls, which is now the fastest century ever recorded by an Indian captain in ODI cricket. He didn't stop there and went on to complete his double century in just 117 balls. This feat made him the fastest player in the world to reach a double century in ODI cricket, breaking the previous record held by his teammate Ishan Kishan.

A Five-Time ICC Award Winner

This latest recognition marks the fifth time Shubman Gill has been honored as the ICC Player of the Month. His journey with this award began in January 2023, when he won it for the first time. He repeated the feat in September 2023. His consistency continued into 2025, where he won the award twice, first in February 2025 and then in July 2025. The September 2026 award is his fifth, solidifying his position as one of the most consistent performers in international cricket. Before Gill's recent win, the last Indian to win this award was Sanju Samson, who was named the winner in March 2026.

Shafali Verma Secures Women's Award

The celebration for Indian cricket extended to the women's game as well, while star player Shafali Verma has been named the ICC Women's Player of the Month for September 2026. This is the second time the 22 year old Shafali has received this honor. Her first win came in November of the previous year. Her recognition alongside Shubman Gill highlights a successful month for Indian cricket on the global stage, with both the men's and women's categories being topped by Indian athletes.