India’s cricketing stalwarts Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma were each honoured with the International Cricket Council’s Player of the Month award on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Gill’s accolade marks a record fifth time receiving the men’s award, while Verma repeats her own success after a prolific spell in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
Gill’s fifth ICC men’s Player of the Month
The 27‑year‑old Test and ODI captain earned the men’s award following an extraordinary ODI series against the West Indies. In the first match in Thiruvananthapuram, Gill compiled a century – 110 runs – setting the tone for the series. He then produced a historic double‑century, smashing 223 runs from just 133 balls, the fastest double‑hundred ever recorded in ODI cricket. His innings propelled India to chase down a massive 406‑run target, finishing with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls remaining.
“It feels fantastic to win my fifth ICC Player of the Month award, and I am grateful to the panel for this honour,” Gill said. He added that scoring such a massive total in front of a home crowd was “immensely satisfying” and highlighted the heightened pace of modern ODI cricket, noting the need to “think on your feet, assess the conditions quickly and adapt to the demands of the pitch and the target.”
Gill joins West Indies captain Haley Matthews as the only players to have captured the ICC Player of the Month honour five times. His previous wins came in January and September 2023 and February and July 2025.
Verma repeats the women’s award after Asia Cup and Asian Games heroics
Twenty‑two‑year‑old opener Shafali Verma secured the women’s Player of the Month award for her dominant performances in two major tournaments. After winning the same award in November 2025 for a match‑winning knock in the World Cup final, Verma once again shone in the Women’s Asia Cup, finishing as India’s top run‑scorer with 360 runs at a strike‑rate of 184.61, while also contributing six wickets.
At the Asian Games, Verma delivered a blistering 100‑not‑out against Bangladesh in the semifinal and added 48 runs in the final versus Sri Lanka, helping India clinch both titles. “It is an incredible honour to win the ICC Player of the Month award again. It was immensely satisfying to play my part in our victories at the Asia Cup and the Asian Games, and winning this award makes those triumphs even more special,” the aggressive opener said.
Looking ahead, Verma expressed excitement about the upcoming ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in February 2027 and reflected on the fresh memory of the World Cup win, saying she “can’t wait to be back on the field for an ICC tournament on home soil.”
Indian dual dominance and historical context
This month marks the fifth occasion that players from the same national board have swept both the men’s and women’s ICC Player of the Month awards. India previously achieved the feat in June 2024, when fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and opening batter Smriti Mandhana were honoured, and again in September 2025, with all‑rounder Abhishek Sharma sharing the men’s award with Mandhana.
The pattern underscores India’s depth across both formats and genders, as well as the ICC’s recognition of consistent high‑impact performances in international competitions.
Short‑list contenders and the competitive field
The shortlist for the men’s award included India’s own Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, indicating a strong pool of candidates. For the women’s award, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and India’s left‑arm spinner Sree Charani were also named among the contenders, highlighting the global nature of the competition.
Gill’s and Verma’s selections therefore reflect not only individual brilliance but also the ability to deliver in high‑pressure situations, such as chase‑down targets and tournament knockout stages.
What lies ahead for the award‑winning duo
Both players have signalled ambitions for the months to come. Gill, already steering India’s Test and ODI sides, will look to maintain his aggressive scoring approach as the team prepares for upcoming series. Verma, meanwhile, is set to feature prominently in the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy, with the prospect of another home‑soil tournament adding to her motivation.
As the ICC continues to spotlight standout performers, Gill’s record‑setting fifth award and Verma’s repeat honour reinforce India’s position at the forefront of international cricket, across both men’s and women’s games.
Be First to Comment