SHUBMAN GILL AND ATHAPATHTHU NAMED ICC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month award recipients for September 2023 following an action-packed month of cricket.

India's talented young batter Shubman Gill wins the ICC Men's Player of the Month for September after run-scoring feats in his country's trophy-winning Asia Cup campaign and the subsequent ODI series against Australia, while Sri Lankan icon Chamari Athapaththu claims the ICC Women's Player of the Month crown after her T20I batting and bowling exploits last month delivered her side's maiden series win on English soil.

Both players are crowned following votes cast by global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

ICC Men's Player of the Month, Gill has enjoyed a whirlwind run of form in 2023 which has seen him surge up the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI batting rankings, and now lies within touching distance of the August Player of the Month winner, Pakistan's Babar Azam.

Runs flooded in for the 24-year-old in ODI cricket in September. He started the month with half-centuries against Nepal and Pakistan before passing three figures in stylish fashion against Bangladesh in Colombo en-route to the final. Chasing down 51 to win the low-scoring finale, Gill remained at the crease to see his side over the line.

Also Read: Shubman Gill: India's best ODI batter ahead of World Cup

Following the conclusion of the Asia Cup, Gill once again shone in the subsequent series against Australia, bagging 74 runs in Mohali and 104 in Indore at more than a run-a-ball.

His 480 runs during the calendar month came at an average of 80, and a strike rate of 99.37.

Reacting to his award win, Gill said, "I am delighted to have won the ICC Player of the Month award for the month of September. It's a great privilege to represent India at the international level and contribute towards the team's cause. This award will further motivate me to continue to seek excellence and make the country proud.

"I managed to make a handy contribution towards the team which had the fortune of winning the Asia Cup 2023 and then, follow it up with an ODI series win against Australia in September. I take this opportunity to thank all my teammates, family and the coaches, without whom this achievement would not have been possible."

Gill claims his second Player of the Month prize for 2023 after overcoming compatriot Mohammed Siraj, and England's Dawid Malan, both of whom displayed outstanding form in shorter formats of the international game ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

ICC Women's Player of the Month, Chamari Athapaththu has been a consistent performer on the world stage for Sri Lanka over a number of years, but her performances in September hit new heights, earning her first Player of the Month award, as well as a historic series victory over England in T20Is.

Also Read: The Soaring Value of Women's Sports: A Game-Changer in the Sports World

The Sri Lanka skipper led from the front to secure her side's maiden series victory in any format on English soil in September, overcoming defeat in the first outing to secure a 2-1 win.

After narrowly losing the rain-effected first contest, Athapaththu spearheaded the response in the second fixture in Chelmsford. She opened the bowling and restricted England to 104 thanks to economical figures of one for 11 in three overs. In pursuit of the low target, her trademark explosive batting was on show as she raced to 55 from 31 balls in the eight-wicket win.

Staring down a historic victory, Athapaththu once again delivered. Three wickets for 21 runs limited the hosts to a modest score of 116, before she steered her side across the line in a seven-wicket win with a priceless 44 runs in 28 balls atop the order.

Athapaththu commented, "I am extremely happy to be named ICC Women's Player of the Month, a recognition I consider not only owned by me, but by our entire team, as without them, I would not have been able to perform to my strengths.

"This award will definitely be a boost for me, my teammates, and our fans, who have been with the team throughout, giving their fullest support, and also be an encouragement for our young cricketers, thus showing them the path."

Athapaththu wins the accolade edging out fellow nominees, South African duo Nadine de Klerk and Laura Wolvaardt, who impressed in series against Pakistan and New Zealand.