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India's explosive batter Abhishek Sharma has been rewarded for his sensational batting and has been named the ICC Player of the Month for September. This recognition follows his batting exploits in the Asia Cup 2025, where he finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer. His fearless and aggressive batting style made him India's most valuable player (MVP).
ICC men's Player of the Month award goes to Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek beat out two other strong contenders for the award: teammate Kuldeep Yadav and Zimbabwean star Brian Bennett. While both Kuldeep and Bennett had phenomenal months, Abhishek's incredible run-scoring exploits in the Asia Cup made him the clear and obvious choice for the honor.
Abhishek Sharma's performance throughout the Asia Cup 2025 was nothing short of electric. He consistently provided India with explosive starts during the powerplay, with his ability to dominate high-quality bowling attacks under pressure being a defining factor in a tournament full of talent. His key contributions included a high-octane knock of 75 against Pakistan that set the tone for India's group-stage victory, a classy 74 against Bangladesh showcasing elegant strokeplay, and a composed, match-defining innings in the Semi-final against Sri Lanka that helped India secure a spot in the final. Though he didn't register a big score in the final, his consistent impact throughout the entire campaign was vital to India clinching the Asia Cup title, rightfully earning him the Player of the Tournament award.
Abhishek's red-hot form extended beyond the tournament, propelling him to the top of the ICC Men's T20I Batter Rankings. He achieved a career-best 931 rating points, which is the highest-ever in T20I history. This incredible score surpasses the previous record of 919 points set by Dawid Malan in 2020.
“It feels great to win this ICC award and I’m happy it came in a month where I could help the team win important matches. I’m proud to be part of a team that thrives under pressure. Our recent T20I performances speak volumes about our team culture and positive mindset. Huge thanks to the support staff, my teammates, and the ICC panel for this recognition,” Abhishek said after the honour.
Smriti Mandhana wins ICC women's Player of the Month
Meanwhile, India's Smriti Mandhana clinched the ICC Women's player of the month for September following a dominant batting display in the home ODI series against Australia, with a spectacular run of scores: 58, 117, and 125 in three consecutive matches. Across the four ODIs played, Mandhana amassed a total of 308 runs, boasting a formidable average of 77 and a blistering strike rate of 135.68. Her performance reached a spectacular peak in the third ODI, where she set a new Indian record by smashing a century in just 50 balls. This extraordinary consistency and record-breaking effort ensured she surpassed fellow contenders Tazmin Brits and Sidra Amin to claim the award.
“I am truly honoured to receive the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for September 2025. A recognition like this pushes me to keep growing and evolving as a player. The recognition also reflects the support, trust, and effort we put in together collectively as a team. My aim has always been to deliver my best and win matches for the team. I am looking forward to making the most out of the opportunities that result in memorable victories for India in the matches ahead," Mandhana said after winning the prestigious award.
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