ICC Player of the Month September 2025 became a special moment for Indian cricket, as two of its finest young batters, Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana, took center stage on the global stage. Both were honoured for their outstanding performances in the men’s and women’s categories, marking another proud milestone for Indian cricket. Their success was not just about the awards but about how they carried their teams with confidence and consistency throughout the month. Every run they scored added to India’s growing strength in world cricket.
Abhishek Sharma impressed everyone with his fearless batting during the Asia Cup, turning tight contests into comfortable wins with his explosive stroke play. Smriti Mandhana, on the other hand, showed class and composure in the ODI series against Australia, crafting two match-winning centuries that showcased her dominance. Together, their achievements made September 2025 a month of joy for Indian fans and a reminder of how talent, timing, and teamwork continue to define India’s cricketing journey.
Men’s ICC Player of the Month
The Nominees–
The ICC shortlisted Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Brian Bennett for the men’s category.
- Kuldeep Yadav’s nomination recognized his key bowling contributions during the Asia Cup campaign.
- Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett was among the candidates for his own run-scoring feats in T20Is that month.
Abhishek’s Campaign-
Abhishek Sharma dominated the Asia Cup, tallying 314 runs in seven matches at an average of 44.85 and a scintillating strike rate of 200.00, the kind of numbers that command attention in T20 cricket.
He scored three half-centuries, including crucial knocks of 75 vs Pakistan and 74 vs Bangladesh that steadied and shifted momentum at pivotal moments. Beyond raw stats, Abhishek was instrumental in India’s march to the title. He was named Player of the Tournament for his consistency and impact.
One landmark achievement: toward the end of the Super Fours stage, Abhishek reached a career-high 931 rating points in ICC men’s T20I batting rankings, surpassing prior records.
In the final tally of votes, combining input from global fans and a specialist ICC voting academy, Abhishek prevailed over Kuldeep and Bennett to claim the men’s Player of the Month.
Women’s ICC Player of the Month
The Nominees-
The women’s shortlist featured Smriti Mandhana, Sidra Amin (Pakistan), and Tazmin Brits (South Africa).
- Sidra Amin’s nomination came on the back of a series of strong innings for Pakistan.
- Tazmin Brits, meanwhile, had been impactful in her recent series performances, including centuries in key games.
Mandhana’s Run-fest
In an India vs Australia ODI series, Mandhana blazed her way into the spotlight. She accumulated 308 runs in 4 matches, boasting an average of 77.00 and a strike rate of 135.68. Her two centuries came in the second and fourth ODIs. In the second, she compiled 107 with fluent drives and smart shot selection, countering Australia’s spin threats.
In the series decider, she registered a fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs, reaching the three-figure mark off just 50 balls. That innings sealed the series in India’s favor.
Mandhana’s consistency, plus her capacity to accelerate when needed, made her stand out among the nominees. In votes combining public and panel judgments, she clinched the women’s Player of the Month.
Comparing the Journeys & Looking Back
What Set Them Apart-
- Impact moments: Both Sharma and Mandhana delivered in high-stakes matches; semi-finals, deciders, not just in one-off games.
- Statistical superiority: Their numbers weren’t just strong; they outpaced competitors in average, strike rate, and consistency.
- Recognition beyond raw data: The ICC voting panel emphasizes context, the importance of innings, opposition, and match situation. In both cases, that tilted the edge in favour of these two.
The Previous Month’s Winner
Before their win, the men’s Player of the Month for August 2025 was Mohammed Siraj, who earned the honour for a match-winning spell against England at The Oval, picking up nine wickets in the Test match.
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