India captain Shubman Gill has won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for September 2026, extending his record as the men’s cricketer with the most wins in the award’s history.
Gill received the honour after an outstanding run of performances against the West Indies in the first two ODIs of the series. According to the ICC, Gill finished ahead of fellow nominees Abhishek Sharma and Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza.
The Indian skipper scored 333 runs across the opening two matches, including a century in the first ODI and an unbeaten double century in the second. His performances helped India win both matches by 8 wickets. Although West Indies won the 3rd ODI on October 3, India secured the three-match series 2-1.
Shubman Gill’s record-breaking performance against West Indies
Gill began the series with a brilliant century in the opening ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. Chasing West Indies’ total of 295/7, the Indian captain scored 110 runs off 108 balls. India successfully reached the target of 296 in 41.4 overs, winning the match by eight wickets.
However, Gill produced an even more remarkable performance in the second ODI in Guwahati three days later. West Indies posted 405/7, recording their first ODI total above 400 runs. Gill led India’s response with an unbeaten 223 off just 133 deliveries, hitting 26 fours and 8 sixes.
India finished at 406/2 in 43.3 overs, reaching the target with 39 balls remaining and securing another 8-wicket victory.
Gill creates multiple ODI records with unbeaten double century
Gill’s double century against West Indies was remarkable not only for its size but also for the speed at which he reached the milestones.
He completed his century in just 62 balls, setting a record for the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian captain. The right-handed batter then reached his double century in 117 balls, making it the fastest double century in ODI history, according to the supplied report.
His unbeaten 223 also became the highest individual score in a successful ODI run chase. Gill shared a massive 255-run opening partnership with Rohit Sharma, who contributed 101 off 75 balls. It was India’s highest opening partnership on home soil.
The successful chase was also the second-highest in ODI history, behind South Africa’s 438/9 against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006.
Shubman Gill extends his record with 5th ICC award
The September 2026 honour is Gill’s fifth ICC Men’s Player of the Month award. His previous wins came in January 2023, September 2023, February 2025 and July 2025. With his latest achievement, he has further extended his record as the men’s player with the most wins.
Sanju Samson was the most recent Indian men’s cricketer to receive the award before Gill, winning it in March 2026. Indian men’s cricketers have now won the monthly honour 17 times across 11 players, with Gill accounting for five of those victories.
What Shubman Gill said after winning the award
Gill expressed his happiness after receiving the recognition and thanked the panel for selecting him. ‘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.
He also spoke about the satisfaction of performing well in front of home supporters and helping India complete successful run chases.
‘It was immensely satisfying to score those runs and even more special to be part of successful run chases in front of our home fans, whose support always gives us an extra boost,’ he added.
Gill focuses on the 2027 ODI World Cup
The Indian captain also highlighted how ODI cricket has become faster and more demanding, requiring batters to assess conditions quickly and adjust their approach.
‘The pace of ODI cricket has gone up significantly, and you must think on your feet, assess the conditions quickly and adapt to the demands of the pitch,’ he said.
Gill also spoke about India’s preparations for the next ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in southern Africa in 2027.
‘With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in southern Africa next year, we are determined to keep raising our standards and build a strong, well-rounded team capable of rising to the challenges ahead,’ he added.
With his latest award and outstanding performances against West Indies, Gill has strengthened his reputation as one of India’s leading batters as the team looks ahead to the next major ODI tournament.