ICC Nominates Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sikandar Raza for ‘Player of the Month’ Award
Kathmandu, October 7 – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has nominated India’s Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza for the ‘Player of the Month’ award for September 2026 in the men’s category. Abhishek showcased outstanding performances during the T20I series against Afghanistan. In the first match held in Delhi, he scored 82 runs off 32 balls, reaching his half-century in just 22 balls. He earned the Player of the Match title as India chased the target of 157 with 38 balls to spare. In the second match, he made 39 runs off 19 balls, and in the third, he played a century innings of 108 runs off 45 balls, completing his century in just 30 balls – a record for the fastest T20I century by a player from a full-member nation. His innings included 11 sixes. During the powerplay, Abhishek formed a crucial partnership with Sanju Samson as India reached 100 runs. He was also named Player of the Series, finishing the three matches with a remarkable average of 76.33 and 229 runs.
Similarly, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza delivered impressive all-round performances in the ODI series against Australia. In the first match, while Zimbabwe was under pressure at four wickets down, he scored 57 runs and forged a 98-run partnership with Craig Ervine, guiding the team towards the target. In the second game, he added 45 runs off 45 balls. In the final ODI, Sikandar played an unbeaten 81 runs off 72 balls, helping Zimbabwe reach 271. With the ball, he claimed key wickets of Oliver Pick and centurion Josh Inglis in the last game.
India’s captain and the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, Shubman Gill, secured his nomination following stellar performances in September. Against the West Indies in the first ODI, he scored 110 runs off 108 balls, marking his 10th ODI century. In the second ODI in Guwahati, Gill produced a record-breaking double century. Chasing 406, India achieved the target in 43.3 overs with Gill unbeaten on 223 off 133 balls, including 26 fours and eight sixes. He reached his century in 62 balls and completed his double century in 117 balls. Gill’s 223 is the highest individual score while successfully chasing in an ODI. His August performance, which featured a century and a record double century, makes him a strong contender for the Player of the Month award.
