Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill in Race for ICC Player of the Month Award
India’s rising white-ball stars Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for September 2026, with Zimbabwe’s all-rounder Sikandar Raza completing the three-player shortlist. The nominations come after a month in which India’s batters produced some remarkable displays across T20Is and ODIs.
Both Indian players made their cases in dramatically different ways. While Abhishek lit up the shortest format with fearless strokeplay, Gill produced a spectacular run in ODI cricket, including a record-breaking double-century.
Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive September
Abhishek Sharma entered September looking to rediscover his best form after a relatively quiet stretch in T20 cricket. He responded in emphatic fashion during India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
The left-handed opener began the series with a blistering 82 off just 32 balls in Delhi. His innings included seven fours and seven sixes, and he reached his half-century in only 22 deliveries. His assault helped India chase down 157 with 38 balls remaining.
He followed that performance with a 39-run knock from 19 balls before producing the highlight of his month in the third T20I.
Abhishek smashed 108 from only 45 balls, bringing up his century in just 30 deliveries. That made it the fastest T20I century by a batter from a Full Member nation. His innings contained 11 sixes and powered India to a record Powerplay total of 100 without losing a wicket.
Across the series, Abhishek accumulated 229 runs in four T20Is at an average of 76.33, while maintaining an astonishing strike rate of 267 according to the ICC's award page.
Shubman Gill’s ODI Masterclass
If Abhishek’s September was about explosive acceleration, Shubman Gill’s was about sustained dominance at the top of the ODI order.
India’s captain began the West Indies ODI series with a composed 110 from 108 balls in Thiruvananthapuram. The century was Gill’s 10th in ODI cricket and helped India successfully chase a target of 296.
But the second ODI in Guwahati produced something extraordinary.
Chasing a mammoth target of 406, India needed an exceptional batting performance, and Gill delivered exactly that. He remained unbeaten on 223 from 133 balls, striking 26 fours and eight sixes. His double-century came from only 117 deliveries.
The innings was not merely a personal milestone. Gill's unbeaten 223 became the fastest ODI double-century, while also setting the record for the highest individual score in a successful ODI chase. India completed the chase with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls to spare.
Gill finished September with 333 runs from two ODIs, including two centuries, making his nomination almost impossible to overlook.
Sikandar Raza Completes the Shortlist
Standing between the two Indian batters and the award is Zimbabwe’s experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza.
Raza was instrumental in Zimbabwe’s ODI series against Australia, scoring 57, 45 and an unbeaten 81 across the three matches. He also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets during the series.
His ability to influence games in multiple disciplines makes him a strong contender, particularly after he helped Zimbabwe remain competitive against one of the world’s leading ODI sides.
Two Indian Batters, Two Very Different Cases
The September shortlist offers an interesting comparison.
Abhishek’s case is built around T20 explosiveness, extraordinary strike rates and a record-breaking century. Gill’s argument rests on ODI consistency, big-match temperament and historic run-scoring.
The ICC’s current award page lists Abhishek with 229 runs in four matches and Gill with 333 runs in two matches, while Raza has 273 runs and five wickets across six matches during the relevant period.
For Abhishek, the nomination also represents a chance to repeat an achievement. He won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award in September 2025 and is now back on the shortlist one year later.
Gill, meanwhile, is competing for what would be his fifth ICC Player of the Month award, underlining how consistently he has been recognised among the world's leading performers.
Who Has the Edge?
Choosing between the two Indian stars will be difficult.
Abhishek produced one of the most explosive T20I performances of the month and finished his series with remarkable numbers. Gill, however, combined two centuries with an unforgettable 223 not out in an enormous run chase.
Ultimately, the award will be decided through the ICC’s voting process, with an independent Voting Academy accounting for 90 per cent of the vote and fans contributing the remaining 10 per cent.
