Shubman Gill is the latest individual to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award as Indian captain. Gill won it after excellent performances against the West Indies in the first two matches of India’s ODI series.
His win extends Gill’s record of the men’s cricketer with the most ICC Player of the Month wins. He beat fellow nominees Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza in the final.
Gill’s Record-Setting performance against West Indies.
Gill's performances in September were highlighted by two outstanding innings against the West Indies. In the first ODI played in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, he scored 110 runs off 108 balls as India was able to chase a target of 296.
The Indian captain followed that century with an even bigger performance in the second ODI in Guwahati on September 30. Gill was unbeaten on 223 off just 133 deliveries in the face of a daunting target of 406.
His innings included 26 fours and eight sixes and India reached 406 for two in 43.3 overs. India won the match by eight wickets, with 39 balls left.
Gill scored 333 runs in the first two games, making himself the outstanding player in the series during the award period.
The fastest double century in ODI history
Gill's unbeaten 223 was so significant for several reasons. He reached his century in 62 balls, which is the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian captain. He then completed his double century in 117 balls, the fastest double hundred in men's ODI cricket.
His knock also became the highest individual score in a successful ODI run chase. Gill shared a 255-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, who scored 101 off 75 balls.
The partnership enabled India to achieve one of the most successful chases of the format. West Indies had 405 for seven, their first ODI total above 400, but Gill and Rohit helped India to achieve the challenging target.
India eventually won the three-match series 2-1, although West Indies claimed victory in the third ODI.
A prolific month of September with two thumping hundreds makes Shubman Gill a record five-time ICC Men’s Player of the Month winner 🔥 Read more ➡️ https://t.co/vfMePK59UQ https://t.co/YlkVQJwdHc
— ICC (@ICC) October 13, 2026
Fifth ICC Player of the Month Award
Gill's latest recognition follows his previous wins in January and September 2023, February 2025 and July 2025. The September 2026 honour strengthens his position at the top of the men's award list.
The ICC Player of the Month award recognizes the best performances of international cricketers in a month. It is given out in a list of shortlisted international performances.
Gill expressed gratitude to the selection panel and said it was especially satisfying to contribute to successful run chases in front of Indian supporters.
He also said that in contemporary ODI cricket players need to be able to respond quickly to match conditions and to judge pitches and the change in targets.
Abhishek Sharma Misses Out
Abhishek Sharma was among the nominees for the September men's award after his performances for India. But Gill’s extraordinary ODI numbers were decisive in the final selection.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza was the other nominee. The competition highlighted the performances of players from different international teams during the month.
Gill’s award follows an Indian cricket moment when men’s and women’s honours both go to Indian players. Shafali Verma won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for September after performing well at the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
Gill will now carry his form into India's upcoming international engagements and build his way up to the next big ODI tournament.
Comments
Leave a Comment