Three Indian Cricketers Shortlisted for ICC Player of the Month Awards for September
India’s cricket stars shine on Asia Cup stage, earning global recognition in men’s and women’s categories
Dubai, Oct 7: India’s cricketing talents are in the spotlight as Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Smriti Mandhana have been nominated for the prestigious ICC Player of the Month awards for September.
In the men’s category, left handed T20 specialist Abhishek Sharma stood out during India’s Asia Cup-winning campaign in the UAE. Named ‘Player of the Tournament’, he amassed 314 runs in seven T20Is, including three half-centuries at a staggering strike rate of 200. His performance also earned him the highest ever batting rating in men’s T20I history at 931 points.
Spin maestro Kuldeep Yadav also enjoyed a stellar tournament, finishing as India’s leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps at an economy rate of 6.27. His campaign began with a sensational 4/7 against the UAE and concluded with 4/30 in India’s title-winning match against Pakistan.
Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett completes the men’s trio of nominees. He scored 497 runs in nine T20Is at an average of 55.22 and a strike rate of 165.66, including impressive innings of 72, 65, and 111 in the T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, helping Zimbabwe qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In the women’s section, India’s star batter Smriti Mandhana earned a nomination after a dominant ODI series against Australia. She scored 308 runs in four matches at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135.68, including innings of 58, 117, and 125. Her performances helped India fight back in the series, though the team narrowly lost 1-2.
Mandhana will compete for the award alongside Pakistan opener Sidra Amin and South Africa’s Tazmin Brits.
