Two Indian cricketers, Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav, have been nominated for the prestigious ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for September 2025. Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett joins them on the shortlist.
Abhishek Sharma's Explosive Asia Cup Performance
Abhishek Sharma earned his nomination after a phenomenal performance in the Asia Cup held in the United Arab Emirates. The left-handed opener was named "Player of the Tournament" for his aggressive and impactful batting throughout the competition. Sharma amassed 314 runs in seven T20Is, maintaining an impressive average of 44.85 and a staggering strike rate of 200. His contributions included three half-centuries, and his fearless approach at the top of the order was crucial to India's success.
Sharma's outstanding performance also led him to achieve a historic milestone, reaching the highest-ever batting rating in men's T20I history with 931 points. This accomplishment underscores his rapid rise and dominance in the T20 format.
Kuldeep Yadav's Spin Magic in the Asia Cup
Kuldeep Yadav also receives a nomination for his exceptional performance with the ball in the Asia Cup. The left-arm wrist-spinner was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 17 wickets in seven T20Is at an impressive average of 9.29 and an economy rate of 6.27.
Yadav's ability to strike in the middle overs and consistently take wickets proved vital for India. He began the Asia Cup campaign with remarkable figures of 4/7 against the UAE and concluded it with 4/30 in the final against Pakistan. His consistent performance in every match solidified his role as a key player in India's championship-winning team. Kuldeep also showcased his skills at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
Brian Bennett's T20I Prowess
Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett is the third nominee for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award. The 21-year-old top-order batter had an exceptional September, scoring 497 runs in nine T20Is at an average of 55.22 and a strike rate of 165.66. Bennett's impressive performances were instrumental in Zimbabwe's qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup. He topped the charts in series against Sri Lanka and Namibia and carried his form into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, scoring 72, 65, and 111 in his first three innings.
Other Nominees
Alongside the men's nominees, Smriti Mandhana is nominated for the Women's Player of the Month award. Sidra Amin of Pakistan and Tazmin Britts of South Africa are also nominated.
Mandhana earned her nomination after being named "Player of the Series" against Australia in the three-match ODI series. The left-handed batter scored 308 runs in four ODIs in September, averaging 77 with a strike rate of 135.68. Her scores included 58, 117, and 125 against Australia.
The ICC Player of the Month awards recognize the best performances from cricketers around the world each month. The winners are determined by a combination of votes from an independent ICC voting academy and fans around the world.
