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

India captain Shubman Gill has been named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for September 2026, his fifth such award and a record for the men’s category. Opener Shafali Verma received the women’s award for the same month. The ICC announced the results on 13 October.

Gill scored 333 runs in India’s first two ODIs against West Indies. He made 110 in the opening match in Thiruvananthapuram and an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls in the second match in Guwahati. The double century is the fastest in ODI history (117 balls to 200) and included 26 fours and eight sixes. India chased 406 and finished on 406/2 with 39 balls remaining. He reached his hundred in 62 balls, the fastest by an Indian captain in the format. Gill beat fellow nominees Abhishek Sharma of India and Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe.

This is Gill’s fifth monthly award, following wins in January 2023, September 2023, February 2025 and July 2025. No other male player has more. He equals West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who also has five. Indian men have now won the award 17 times. Gill said it felt “fantastic” and noted the satisfaction of scoring the runs in successful chases in front of home crowds.

Verma’s award recognised her performances in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games. It is her second Player of the Month honour. The dual recognition gives India both monthly prizes for September.

The 223 came three days after the century and formed the centrepiece of a series India won 2-1. West Indies had posted 405/7, their first ODI total above 400; Gill’s response turned the chase into the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. The innings also underlined the changing demands of modern ODI batting, in which captains must assess conditions quickly and accelerate against high totals.

Gill’s five awards place him clear of Babar Azam (three) and several players with two. The monthly prize, introduced in 2021, has become a regular marker of short-term dominance. For India, the result coincides with Gill’s elevation to the Test and ODI captaincy and with a period of strong home form in the 50-over format.

Verma’s contribution in the multi-nation tournaments added a second Indian name to the September list. The ICC’s selection process weighs performances across formats and competitions during the calendar month. Both awards will be formally presented at a later date; the immediate effect is public recognition of two high-scoring sequences that helped India win matches and series in September.