India captain Shubman Gill has won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for September 2026, extending his record with a fifth monthly honour after a remarkable run of performances against the West Indies.
The International Cricket Council announced Gill as the winner on Tuesday, October 13, with the batter finishing ahead of fellow Indian Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza.
Gill scored 333 runs in the first two ODIs against the West Indies, including a century in the opening match and an unbeaten double-century in the second. India won both matches by eight wickets.
Meanwhile, India opener Shafali Verma was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for September after contributing to her team’s successes in the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
Gill’s unbeaten 223 sets ODI record
Gill’s standout performance came in Guwahati on September 30, when India chased down a target of 406 against the West Indies.
After the visitors posted 405 for seven, Gill struck an unbeaten 223 off 133 deliveries, hitting 26 fours and eight sixes. India reached 406 for two in 43.3 overs, completing the chase with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls remaining.
According to the supplied report, Gill reached his century in 62 balls before completing his double-century in 117 deliveries, making it the fastest double-century in men’s ODI cricket.
Rohit Sharma supported the chase with 101 off 75 balls, sharing a 255-run opening partnership with Gill.
The result followed India’s eight-wicket victory in the opening ODI, in which Gill scored 110 off 108 deliveries while chasing 296.
Although the West Indies won the third ODI on October 3, India claimed the three-match series 2-1.
Fifth monthly award extends Gill’s record
Gill had previously won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025.
The September 2026 award takes his total to five, extending his record for the most wins in the men’s category.
Reacting to the honour, Gill said it felt fantastic to win the award for a fifth time. He said scoring runs and completing successful chases in front of home fans had been particularly satisfying.
Gill also highlighted the increasing pace of ODI cricket, saying batters needed to assess conditions quickly and adapt to the pitch and target.
With the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup approaching, he said India were determined to improve and build a balanced team.
Shafali Verma wins women’s award
Shafali Verma won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for September after impressive performances for India in the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
The opener scored 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61 and took six wickets during the period, according to the supplied report.
She was India’s leading run-scorer during the team’s Asia Cup campaign and also delivered in key Asian Games matches, scoring an unbeaten century against Bangladesh in the semi-final and 48 runs in the final against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and India’s Sree Charani were also shortlisted for the women’s award.
Verma previously won the monthly honour in November 2025 after her performances during India’s Women’s ODI World Cup campaign.
She described the latest award as an honour, saying it was satisfying to contribute to India’s victories in the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
The two awards recognise the performances of India’s men’s and women’s players during September, with Gill’s record-breaking ODI innings and Verma’s contributions across competitions marking their respective campaigns.
