Dubai, October 7, 2025 : Three Indian stars — Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Smriti Mandhana — have been nominated for the prestigious ICC Player of the Month Awards for September 2025, recognising their stellar performances on the international stage.
In men’s cricket, Abhishek Sharma, India’s explosive left-handed opener, has been shortlisted after a sensational run in India’s Asia Cup-winning campaign in the UAE. The 25-year-old smashed 314 runs in seven T20Is, including three half-centuries, at an astonishing strike rate of 200, earning him the title of ‘Player of the Tournament’.
Abhishek also reached a historic milestone, achieving the highest-ever batting rating (931) in men’s T20I history — a testament to his dominance with the bat.
India’s spin ace Kuldeep Yadav joins him in the men’s nominations after a dream run in the same tournament. The wrist-spinner finished as the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps at an impressive economy of 6.27, including two match-winning spells — 4/7 against the UAE and 4/30 in the final against Pakistan, where India clinched the title.
The third nominee in the men’s category is Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett, who amassed 497 runs in nine T20Is at an average of 55.22 and a strike rate of 165.66, helping his team qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In the women’s section, Smriti Mandhana has been nominated after a brilliant performance in the ODI series against Australia. The stylish southpaw accumulated 308 runs in four ODIs at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135.68, including two centuries (117 and 125) and a half-century (58).
Her innings of 117 in the second ODI powered India to a series-levelling win before another ton in the decider, despite India narrowly losing 1–2.
Pakistan’s Sidra Amin and South Africa’s Tazmin Brits complete the women’s nomination list for September.
