The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for September, with two Indian stars making the three-player shortlist. India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma and spinner Kuldeep Yadav will contest for the accolade alongside Zimbabwe’s top-order batter Brian Bennett. The duo played crucial roles in India’s triumph in the Asia Cup 2025. Abhishek continued his stellar season, building on his record-breaking performances at the Asia Cup. He amassed 314 runs in seven appearances at an average of 44.86, striking at a staggering rate of 200. His consistency and power hitting helped India remain unbeaten en route to lifting the title. The 25-year-old also achieved the highest batting rating ever recorded in men’s T20Is, with 931 points, cementing his status as one of the format’s rising stars. While Abhishek led the charge with the bat, Kuldeep Yadav was India’s standout performer with the ball. The 30-year-old left-arm wrist spinner finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker, claiming 17 scalps at an economy of 6.27. He delivered a memorable 4/7 against the UAE at the start of the tournament and ended with 4/30 against arch-rival Pakistan in the final. Kuldeep took at least one wicket in each of India’s seven matches, proving vital to their unbeaten run. Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett impressed with the bat, scoring 497 runs in nine T20Is last month at an average of 55.22 and a strike rate of 165.66. He dominated the series against Sri Lanka and Namibia and starred during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, with scores of 72, 65, and 111 in his first three innings. Bennett’s form was crucial in helping Zimbabwe secure a qualification spot for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
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Who do you think should win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for September?
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for September will ultimately reward consistency, match-winning performances, and impact across T20 internationals, with Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav leading India’s challenge.
