Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma Named ICC Players of the Month for September

The International Cricket Council named Shubman Gill the men's Player of the Month for September 2026 and Shafali Verma the women's winner. Gill's award is his fifth, extending the men's record. Verma collected her second. Both are Indian.

Gill scored 333 runs in India's first two ODIs against the West Indies. In the opening match at Thiruvananthapuram on 27 September he made 110 off 108 balls. India chased 296 in 41.4 overs and won by eight wickets. Three days later in Guwahati, West Indies posted 405 for 7. Gill replied with an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls, including 26 fours and eight sixes. India reached 406 for 2 in 43.3 overs.

The double century was the fastest in ODI history, reached in 117 balls. The hundred came in 62 balls, the fastest by an Indian captain in the format. India won the three-match series 2-1 after losing the third game on 3 October. Gill captained in all three matches.

The shortlist for the men's award also included Abhishek Sharma of India and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza. Verma's competitors were Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and India spinner Sree Charani. The ICC noted that this is the fifth time players from the same board have taken both monthly awards and the third time both winners have been Indian.

Gill's previous Player of the Month awards came in January 2023, September 2023, February 2025, and July 2025. He now matches West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who has also won five women's awards. The September performances added an ODI double century and a series win to a year that already included strong Test and limited-overs returns.

Verma's award recognised her contributions in the Asia Cup and the Asian Games. The ICC statement did not list individual scores but described the performances as impressive. She opened in both tournaments and provided starts that allowed the middle order to accelerate. This is her second monthly honour.

The awards are decided by a combination of statistical performance and a vote by a panel of former players and journalists. The ICC publishes the shortlists in advance and announces the winners on the second Tuesday of the following month. September's results appeared on 13 October.

Gill's 223 not out is the highest individual score by an Indian captain in ODIs. It also ranks among the fastest double centuries in the format's history. The Guwahati pitch offered pace and bounce; Gill played through the line and used the shorter boundary on one side. West Indies' total of 405 was their first above 400 in ODIs.

India's chase required 39 balls fewer than the full 50 overs. The eight-wicket margin in both completed matches reflected the dominance of the top order. Gill and his opening partner shared substantial stands in each game. The third match, which West Indies won, did not affect the monthly calculation once the first two results were in.

The ICC Player of the Month has run since 2021. Indian players have featured regularly among the winners. Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana took the awards in June 2024. Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana won in September 2025. The current pair continues that sequence.

Gill is India's Test and ODI captain. The September series against West Indies was part of the build-up to the next ICC tournament cycle. His form with the bat has remained consistent across formats. The double century supplies a reference point for future ODI targets set by the team management.

Verma has established herself as a regular opener in the white-ball sides. Her strike rate in the powerplay has been among the highest in the Indian squad. The Asia Cup and Asian Games provided the platform for the runs that secured the monthly award. She will carry that form into the upcoming bilateral series.

The ICC will present the physical awards at a later date. Winners receive a trophy and recognition on the council's platforms. The September results close the monthly cycle before the focus shifts to the next set of bilateral and multi-nation fixtures.