Two of India’s most exciting openers, Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana, dominated the month of September, earning them the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards.
Abhishek Sharma shone brightly during the 2025 Asia Cup held in the UAE, providing India with blistering starts in the powerplay. He scored a tournament-leading 314 runs in seven matches, helping India lift the trophy. The southpaw smashed three half-centuries, averaged an exceptional 44.85, and maintained a strike rate of over 200. His outstanding performance saw him overcome stiff competition from teammate Kuldeep Yadav, the leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup, and Zimbabwean all-rounder Brian Bennett.
Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana tormented the Australian bowling attack in the three-match ODI series at home in September. The elegant left-hander scored back-to-back centuries in the second and third ODIs, following a half-century in the series opener. Although she managed only eight runs in her final game of the month against Sri Lanka in India’s 2025 ODI World Cup opener, Mandhana finished September with 308 runs at an impressive average of 77 and a strike rate of over 135 across four matches.
Expressing his delight at his performances and being part of a dominant Indian T20I setup, Abhishek Sharma shared, “It feels great to win this ICC award and I am happy that it has come for some important matches that I could help win. I am proud to be part of a team that can pull off victories from the most difficult of situations.”
Abhishek made his T20I debut after India triumphed in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since then, the Men in Blue have won an extraordinary 21 out of the 24 T20Is he has played in. He added, “Our recent track record in T20Is reflects our outstanding team culture and positive mindset. I thank the team management for their guidance and all my teammates for their support. I am also thankful to the panel that selected me for this award.”
Currently, Abhishek Sharma is ranked as the No. 1 T20I batter in the world, boasting an average of almost 37 and a strike rate of 196.07 in 24 matches. Both players continue to inspire fans with their exceptional talent and contributions to Indian cricket.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-2-indians-win-icc-player-month-september-2025
