Shubman Gill secures second ICC player of the month award in 2023, triumphs over Mohammed Siraj
New Delhi, October 13: In a remarkable display of cricketing prowess, Indian opener Shubman Gill has been awarded the prestigious ICC Men's Player of the Month for September 2023. Gill's remarkable run-scoring feats during India's trophy-winning Asia Cup campaign and the subsequent ODI series against Australia secured him this coveted accolade. On the women's side, Sri Lankan cricket icon Chamari Athapaththu clinched the ICC Women’s Player of the Month crown, thanks to her outstanding T20I batting and bowling performances that led to her team's maiden series win on English soil.
Gill's 2023 journey has been nothing short of spectacular, propelling him up the ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings and positioning him within striking distance of Pakistan's star, Babar Azam. The month of September witnessed a deluge of runs from the 24-year-old in ODI cricket. He began the month with impressive half-centuries against Nepal and Pakistan, and then, in a stylish display of batting, he notched up a century against Bangladesh in Colombo en route to the final. In the low-scoring final, Gill remained steadfast at the crease, ensuring India's victory by chasing down 51 runs.
Following the Asia Cup, Gill's brilliance continued in the series against Australia, where he amassed 74 runs in Mohali and an astonishing 104 in Indore, all at a run-a-ball pace. His remarkable tally of 480 runs during the calendar month came at an average of 80, with a formidable strike rate of 99.37.
In response to his remarkable achievement, Gill expressed his elation, saying, "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."
He continued, "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's victory marked his second Player of the Month accolade for 2023, as he triumphed over compatriot Mohammed Siraj and England’s Dawid Malan, both of whom displayed outstanding form in shorter formats of the international game ahead of the World Cup 2023.
On the women's front, Chamari Athapaththu, who has been a consistent performer on the global stage for Sri Lanka over several years, reached new heights in September. Her impressive performances not only earned her the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award but also led to a historic series victory over England in T20Is.
Athapaththu expressed her joy, stating, “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."
She went on to say, "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.”
- With inputs from agencies
