Indian cricket has another reason to celebrate, with men’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and women’s team opener Shafali Verma winning the International Cricket Council (ICC) Player of the Month awards for September 2026. Gill received the men’s honour following a remarkable ODI series against the West Indies, while Shafali was recognised for her contributions to India’s victories in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.

The double win highlights India’s growing strength across men’s and women’s cricket. It also marks a significant personal milestone for both players. Gill has now won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award five times, extending his record in the category. Shafali, meanwhile, has claimed the women’s award for the second time in less than a year.

Gill’s September campaign was defined by two outstanding innings that helped India take control of their home ODI series against the West Indies. The right-handed batter scored 110 runs in the opening match in Thiruvananthapuram before producing an unbeaten 223 in the second ODI in Guwahati.

His double century came off just 133 balls and powered India’s successful chase of a challenging 406-run target. India finished at 406 for two in 43.3 overs, winning by eight wickets with 39 balls to spare. Gill’s innings was the fastest double-century in ODI history and the highest individual score in a successful ODI run chase.

The Indian captain also shared a 255-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, who scored 101 off 75 deliveries. It was India’s highest opening partnership on home soil in ODI cricket.

Gill finished the first two matches with 333 runs, making him the central figure in India’s strong start to the series. Although the West Indies won the third ODI, India secured the three-match series 2-1.

The ICC recognition adds to Gill’s growing list of achievements. His previous monthly awards came in January and September 2023, followed by February and July 2025. The latest honour further strengthens his position as the most successful men’s player in the award’s history.

Gill said he was grateful for the recognition and described scoring heavily in successful run chases in front of home supporters as particularly satisfying. He also highlighted how modern ODI cricket requires batters to assess conditions quickly and adapt their approach to the pitch and the target.

With the next Men’s Cricket World Cup scheduled for southern Africa in 2027, Gill said India would continue working to build a balanced team capable of meeting the demands of the tournament.

Shafali earned the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after delivering impactful performances during India’s successful campaigns in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.

The aggressive opening batter was India’s leading run-scorer at the Women’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates, scoring 236 runs in five innings. Her contributions included 64 in the semi-final against Bangladesh and 68 in the final against Sri Lanka, helping India secure a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title.

She carried her form into the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, where she produced a maiden T20I century in the semi-final against Bangladesh. Her unbeaten 100 off 49 balls helped India reach the final, where she contributed 48 runs against Sri Lanka as India won the gold medal by 147 runs.

Shafali also made an impact with the ball during the qualifying period, taking six wickets across her performances in the two competitions. Her ability to contribute in multiple ways strengthened India’s position in crucial matches.

The 22-year-old said winning the award again was an honour and that contributing to India’s Asia Cup and Asian Games victories made the recognition especially meaningful. She also looked ahead to upcoming international assignments, including the Women’s Champions Trophy scheduled for February 2027.

Shafali’s first ICC Player of the Month award came in November 2025, following her match-winning performance in the Women’s Cricket World Cup final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. Her latest award underlines her importance to India’s batting line-up and her growing influence in international cricket.

September’s results mark the fifth occasion on which players from the same national cricket board have won both the men’s and women’s ICC Player of the Month awards. India has achieved the double three times.

Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana won the respective honours in June 2024. In September 2025, Abhishek Sharma and Mandhana claimed the awards. Gill and Shafali have now added another Indian double to that list.

The competition for the September honours was strong. India’s Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza were shortlisted alongside Gill in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and India left-arm spinner Sree Charani were also in contention.

The winners were selected through a voting process involving registered fans and a specialist panel comprising former international players and media representatives.

Gill’s record-breaking ODI innings and Shafali’s all-round contributions across major tournaments made their cases compelling. Their wins also reflect India’s ability to produce match-winning performances across formats and both sides of the international game.

The latest ICC awards celebrate more than individual statistics. Gill’s achievement highlights his growing authority as India’s captain and a leading ODI batter, while Shafali’s recognition reflects her ability to deliver when the stakes are high. Both players will now look to carry their September form into the next phase of India’s international cricket calendar.