Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana have won the ICC Player of the Month awards for men and women, respectively, after some fine efforts that helped edge out other strong contenders for September.
Abhishek’s superlative efforts in the Asia Cup T20I tournament were lauded by fans and critics alike and reflect in the Player of the Month awards. The flamboyant batter accumulated 314 runs in seven matches during the period at an average of 44.85 and an outstanding strike-rate of 200.
The 25-year-old was named the Player of the Tournament and achieved the highest rating points ever in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings during the Asia Cup, reaching 931 at the end of the Super Fours stage. He won ahead of team-mate Kuldeep Yadav and Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett.
Abhishek Sharma said: “It feels great to win this ICC award and I am happy that it has come for some important matches that I could help win.
“I am proud to be part of a team that can pull off victories from the most difficult of situations. Our recent track record in T20Is reflects our outstanding team culture and positive mindset.
“I thank the team management for their guidance and to all my team-mates for their support. I am also thankful to the panel that selected me for this award.”
Smriti Mandhana, a left-handed opener like Abhishek, was outstanding in a home ODI series against Australia, scoring 58, 117 and 125 in the three matches. The India vice-captain scored 308 runs in four ODIs during the period at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135.68.
Mandhana, who is in the midst of India’s campaign in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, struck the fastest century by an India batter during the Australia series when she reached the three-figure mark off just 50 deliveries in the third match. South Africa’s Tazmin Brits and Pakistan’s Sidra Amin were the others in the running for the award.
Smriti Mandhana said: “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.”
Both players were crowned following a vote conducted among global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising former international players and media representatives.
Fans can continue to vote every month for their favourite cricketers across all formats of international cricket in the ICC Player of the Month awards by registering at www.icc-cricket.com/awards.
Noise Toy
The Bledisloe Cup is a rugby union competition held annually between the Wallabies and their fierce rivals, the New Zealand All Blacks. The competition dates back to 1931, and while the All Blacks have been the more dominant team in the contest, the matches between these two nations are always highly competitive and intense.
Backstreet
Sport Trivia: Who was the first person from South Africa to win the Olympic 100m sprint? Answer: Reggie Walker. South African Reggie Walker won the Olympic 100m track event in London in 1908. He set a new Olympic record of 10.8 seconds in his semi final, and equalled it in the final. He was just 19yrs and 128 days old when he won the gold medal. Paul Nash equalled the then world record of 10.0 seconds four times in 1968.