Shubman Gill creates history, becomes first cricketer to win ICC Player of the Month award five times

Shubman Gill has added another milestone to his growing list of achievements, becoming the first cricketer in the world to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award five times. The India Test and ODI captain received the honour for September 2026 after a remarkable run of performances against the West Indies.
Gill won the award ahead of fellow Indian batter Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, extending his record as the men’s player with the most Player of the Month wins.
The 27-year-old had previously claimed the award in January 2023, September 2023, February 2025 and July 2025. His latest recognition follows a prolific ODI series against the West Indies, in which he scored 333 runs across two matches.
Gill began the series with 110 in the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram before producing an unbeaten 223 in the second match in Guwahati. His double-century came off just 133 deliveries and powered India to a successful chase of 406, the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.
The 223 not out also became the highest individual score in a successful ODI chase, underlining the scale of Gill’s contribution. India eventually won the three-match series 2-1.
Reacting to the award, Gill expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the importance of the performances that earned him the honour.
“It feels fantastic to win my fifth ICC Player of the Month award, and I am grateful to the panel for this honour,” Gill said.
The award also highlights India’s strong representation in the monthly honours. Indian men’s cricketers have now won the ICC Player of the Month award 17 times across 11 players. Sanju Samson was the country’s most recent winner, having received the award in March 2026.
For Gill, the latest recognition comes during a significant phase of his career as he continues to establish himself as one of India’s leading batters and a key figure in the team’s leadership group.
His September performances combined consistency with a record-breaking innings, giving him a historic fifth award and further strengthening his standing in international cricket.