New Delhi: Indian Test captain Shubman Gill has called his latest recognition the ICC Player of the Month award his most treasured achievement since taking over the leadership of the national side. For the 24-year-old, the award holds special significance as it came in the very month he led India for the first time in a Test series, and in one of cricket’s toughest away assignments England.
Gill’s batting masterclass throughout the England tour not only earned him the award ahead of formidable contenders like England skipper Ben Stokes and South Africa’s Wian Mulder but also reaffirmed his standing as one of the game’s brightest talents. This marks the fourth time Gill has claimed the monthly honour, the most by any player since its inception a testament to his consistency and match-winning influence.
Leading a young Indian squad into English conditions after the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Gill shouldered the responsibility with authority. His 754 runs in five matches and 10 innings set a new record for an Indian captain in England and is second only to Don Bradman’s iconic 810-run haul on English soil. Gill’s series tally included four centuries one in the opening match, two in the second (including a double ton), and a crucial knock at Old Trafford in the fourth Test that helped India secure a draw.
In his reaction to the award, Gill expressed deep pride, noting that personal accolades are even sweeter when they come in the context of team leadership and tough competition. His performance not only preserved India’s pride abroad but also set a new benchmark for batting resilience and captaincy under pressure.