The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for September 2026, with India’s Shafali Verma and N Sree Charani joining Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu on the three-player shortlist.
The nominations follow an outstanding month of performances across the Women’s Asia Cup and the 2026 Asian Games, where all three players played leading roles for their respective teams.
Shafali Verma Shines With Bat And Ball
Shafali Verma enjoyed one of the best months of her international career, scoring 360 runs in seven T20Is at an impressive average of 72.00 and a strike rate of 184.61.
The explosive opener finished as the highest run-scorer in the Women’s Asia Cup with 236 runs, including a match-winning 68 in the final against Sri Lanka.
She then produced another landmark performance at the 2026 Asian Games, smashing her first T20I century with a sensational 100 off just 49 balls against Bangladesh in the semi-final.
Shafali also made an impact with the ball, claiming six wickets during the month.
Sree Charani Continues Record-breaking Rise
India left-arm spinner N Sree Charani enjoyed a remarkable September, finishing with 18 wickets in seven T20Is at an outstanding average of 4.83 and an economy rate of 3.30.
Her standout performances included 4 for 20 in the Women’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka and 4 for 10 against Japan during the Asian Games.
Charani also achieved a historic milestone by climbing to 817 ICC rating points, becoming the highest-rated bowler in the history of Women’s T20I cricket.
Athapaththu Leads Sri Lanka From the Front
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu earned her nomination after another outstanding all-round month.
Across seven T20Is, she scored 226 runs at an average of 37.66 while striking at 140.37, in addition to taking 14 wickets at 10.21.
Her most memorable performance came against Indonesia, where she produced sensational figures of 7 for 5, including a hat-trick, recording one of the best bowling performances in Women’s T20I history.
Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 83 off 50 balls against Pakistan during the Asian Games. She helped Sri Lanka reach the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals before leading them to silver at the Asian Games.
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees (September 2026)
Shafali Verma (India)
- 360 runs in 7 T20Is
- Average: 72.00
- Strike rate: 184.61
- Leading run-scorer at the Women’s Asia Cup (236 runs)
- Maiden T20I century (100 off 49 balls)
- 6 wickets
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
- 226 runs in 7 T20Is
- Average: 37.66
- Strike rate: 140.37
- 14 wickets
- Best figures: 7/5 against Indonesia
- Unbeaten 83 against Pakistan at the Asian Games
N Sree Charani (India)
- 18 wickets in 7 T20Is
- Average: 4.83
- Economy rate: 3.30
- 4/20 in the Asia Cup final
- 4/10 against Japan
- Reached a record 817 ICC T20I bowling rating points
Men’s Player of the Month Nominees
The ICC also announced the men’s shortlist for September 2026, featuring:
- Shubman Gill (India) – Scored 110 in the first ODI before reaching the fastest ODI double century in history, getting to 200 in 117 balls and finishing unbeaten on 223 off 133.
- Abhishek Sharma (India) – Scored 229 runs during the month and registered the fastest T20I century by a batter from an ICC Full Member nation with a 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan.
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – Produced another outstanding all-round month with 183 ODI runs, 90 T20I runs and five wickets across both formats.
