Indian Cricketers Nominated for ICC Player of the Month Awards

Dubai, Oct 7 (PTI) - Charismatic Indian cricketers Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav in the men's category, and Smriti Mandhana in the women's category, have been nominated for the "ICC Player of the Month" awards for September.

Abhishek Sharma, a left-handed T20 specialist, dazzled during India's victorious Asia Cup campaign in the UAE. He was named the "Player of the Tournament" after amassing 314 runs in seven T20Is, which included three half-centuries. His impressive performance came with a staggering strike rate of 200. Furthermore, the 25-year-old achieved the highest batting rating ever recorded in men's T20I history with 931 points.

Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav had a phenomenal run in the high-stakes tournament, where India secured three wins over arch-rivals Pakistan. He was the leading wicket-taker, claiming 17 scalps with an economy rate of 6.27. Kuldeep kicked off the Asia Cup with figures of 4/7 against the UAE and concluded with 4/30 in the title win over Pakistan.

Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett is the third men's cricketer nominated for the award, thanks to his exceptional batting. He amassed 497 runs in nine T20Is at an average of 55.22 and a strike rate of 165.66. Bennett topped the charts during series against Sri Lanka and Namibia and continued his form into the T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, scoring 72, 65, and 111 in his first three innings. His efforts helped Zimbabwe secure qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

In the women's section, India's star top-order batter Smriti Mandhana has earned a nomination after claiming the "Player of the Series" award in a highly competitive three-match ODI series against Australia last month. The left-hander accumulated 308 runs in four ODIs in September at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135.68. She scored 58, 117, and 125 against the formidable Southern Stars. Although India lost the first game, her century in the second game enabled the hosts to level the series. She slammed another century in the decider, but India narrowly lost the series 1-2.

Pakistan opener Sidra Amin and South Africa's Tazmin Brits are the other two nominees for the award.

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