Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma named ICC Players of the Month for September 2026

In Dubai on October 13, 2026, India captain Shubman Gill and opener Shafali Verma were announced as the ICC Men's and Women's Players of the Month for September 2026.

Gill, 27, was awarded the men's honour for his performances in the ODI series against the West Indies, while Verma, 22, received the women's award after contributions at the Women's Asia Cup and the Asian Games; Gill's win marks his fifth monthly award, equalling West Indies captain Haley Matthews' total. Gill's previous Player of the Month recognitions came in January and September 2023, and February and July 2025; Verma had earlier won the award in November last year following her match-winning knock in the World Cup final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai.

Gill's September included an unbeaten 110 in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram and a 223 off 133 balls in the next match, a rapid double-century that helped India chase 406 with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls still left; on the award he said, "It feels fantastic to win my fifth ICC Player of the Month award, and I am grateful to the panel for this honour." He added, "The pace of ODI cricket has gone up significantly, and you must think on your feet, assess the conditions quickly and adapt to the demands of the pitch and the target."

Verma finished September as India's highest run-scorer in the Women's Asia Cup and produced key contributions at the Asian Games, aggregating 360 runs at a strike-rate of 184.61 and adding six wickets during the period; she struck 100 not out against Bangladesh in the Asian Games semifinal and made 48 in the final against Sri Lanka. On receiving the award she said, "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."

India Today's report provided further breakdowns of Verma's September form: she scored 360 runs in seven T20Is at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 184.61, and took six wickets at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 4.33; at the Women's Asia Cup she was the leading run-scorer with 236 runs in five innings, including 64 in the semi-final and 68 in the final. The report also recorded her Asian Games return as 188 runs in three innings, noted her unbeaten 100 off 49 balls against Bangladesh was her maiden T20I century, and said she took four wickets at the Games, including two in the final.

The men's and women's monthly awards being claimed by players from the same national board is not new: this is the fifth time such a sweep has occurred and India have achieved the double twice before, with Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana winning in June 2024 and Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana in September 2025. Shortlists for Tuesday's awards included Abhishek and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza for the men's prize, while Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and India left-arm spinner Sree Charani were among those considered for the women's honour.

Verma also spoke of upcoming events, saying, "I am excited about the months ahead and determined to keep performing at my best, with the ICC Women's Champions Trophy in February next year another tournament to look forward to."