The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the ‘Player of the Month’ award in 2021 to celebrate exceptional performances by male and female cricketers worldwide. This monthly award appreciates consistent efforts and game-changing performances in international cricket.
An independent Voting Academy, comprising former cricketers, commentators, and journalists from across the globe, collaborates with fans to select the winners. The ICC Awards Nominations Committee shortlists three nominees each month based on their performances from the first to the last day of the month. Votes are then cast by the Voting Academy, which holds a 90% weightage, while fans contribute the remaining 10% through online polls. Winners are announced every second Monday on ICC’s digital platforms. Players from both Full and Associate Member nations are eligible for this recognition. Notably, Indian star Indian batter Virat Kohli holds the record for the most ICC awards overall, with 10.
Here are the six cricketers to win most ICC Men’s Player of the Month awards:
6. Jasprit Bumrah (June ’24, December ’24):
India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award twice in 2024, first in June and then again in December. The pacer had a remarkable year picking numerous wickets and winning matches for the side in both Test cricket and the T20 format.
In June, Bumrah was crucial in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory. His memorable spell came against Pakistan, where he dismantled the opposition and ended with figures of 3/14. He finished the tournament with 15 wickets at an average of 8.26, earning him the Player of the Tournament honour.
December saw Bumrah dominate Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Across five Tests, he bagged 32 wickets at an average of 13.06, delivering impressive performances in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne. His nine-wicket haul at the Boxing Day Test set a record for the highest rating points by an Indian bowler. Despite India suffering a 3-1 series defeat, Bumrah ended as the highest-wicket-taker of the series and earned the Player of the Series honour.
Also Check: 3 players who can replace Jasprit Bumrah in India’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025
5. Kamindu Mendis (March ’24, September ’24):
Sri Lankan batting all-rounder Kamindu Mendis enjoyed a dream run in 2024, claiming the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award twice first in March and again in September for his brilliant performances in Test cricket.
The 26-year-old had been in fine form throughout the year. In September he managed to score 451 runs at an average of 90.20, including memorable performances against England and New Zealand. The Galle-born smashed a 114-run knock in the first Test against New Zealand, followed by an 182 in Sri Lanka’s innings victory in the second match. His record-breaking feats include becoming the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs and equaling Don Bradman’s record as the third-fastest player to achieve this milestone, reaching it in just 13 innings.
In March, his brilliance against Bangladesh rescued Sri Lanka with centuries in both innings of the Sylhet Test. His 164 in the second innings, batting at number seven, was memorable, making him the first to achieve two centuries from that position in a single Test. H ended 2024 with 1458 runs in 38 innings.
4. Shubman Gill (January ’23, September ’23):
India’s batting sensation Shubman Gill made history in 2023, securing the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award on two occasions in January and September. In January, Gill’s stellar form was nothing short of exceptional. After a stunning 2022 and a maiden Test hundred in Bangladesh, he shone in the 50-over format.
The best moment of that month was a 208-run knock against New Zealand in Hyderabad, becoming the youngest Indian to hit a double century in ODIs. His innings included 19 boundaries and nine sixes. With 360 runs in the series, he equalled Babar Azam’s record for the highest number of runs in a three-match ODI series.
September saw the Punjab-born continue his fine form, hitting 480 ODI runs at an average of 80. He was the highest scorer at the Asia Cup, with 302 runs, including a century against Bangladesh. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, the youngster hit 354 runs in nine innings.
3. Shakib al Hasan (July ’21, March ’23):
Bangladesh’s legendary all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, has twice been crowned the ICC Men’s Player of the Month. His first honour came in July 2021, following an extraordinary series against Zimbabwe. His all-round brilliance saw him score 145 runs and claim eight wickets in ODIs, including a 4/82 in a 220-run Test victory.
In March 2023, Shakib clinched his second Player of the Month award. Leading Bangladesh to historic victories, including a 3-0 T20I whitewash against world champions England, where he was instrumental with both bat and ball.
In the same month in an ODI against England, he hammered 75 runs and took 4/35. Against Ireland, he hit a quickfire 38 and a stunning five-wicket haul in a T20I. However, due to his suspension for an illegal bowling action, he was excluded from Bangladesh’s 2025 Champions Trophy squad.
2. Harry Brook (December ’22, February ’23):
England’s young prospect Harry Brook has quickly gone on to become one of the best batters of this generation. Brook has clinched the ICC Men’s Player of the Month awards in both December 2022 and February 2023.
In December 2022, the Yorkshire-born played a key role in England’s historic 3-0 Test series win against Pakistan, their first in the country in 17 years. Scoring 468 runs at a strike rate of 93.41, and ended as the series’ top run-scorer. His brilliant run included a 153-run knock in Rawalpindi and centuries in each of the remaining Tests.
Fast forward to February 2023, the right-hander continued to bat brilliantly during England’s tour of New Zealand. His memorable performance came in Wellington, where he hammered 186 off 176 balls, rescuing England from a tricky position. His innings included a partnership of 302 runs with Joe Root.
1. Babar Azam (April ’21, March ’22, August, ’23):
Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam is the only player to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award three times so far. This feat puts him at the top of this elite list. Babar first clinched the honour in April 2021 for his performances against South Africa. Scoring 228 runs in the ODI series and 210 in T20Is, his contributions included a century, a half-century, and earning the Player of the Series title in T20Is. During this period, he also surpassed Virat Kohli to become the No. 1 ODI batter.
In March 2022, the right-hander’s heroics against Australia in a multi-format series earned him the award for the second time. An impressive 196 in the Karachi Test, and crucial contributions in ODIs with scores of 57 and 114, made him the best suitor for this recognition.
In August 2023 he won his third title, as he produced brilliant results in ODIs against Afghanistan and Nepal. His performances included a stunning 151 against Nepal in the Asia Cup opener, making him the fastest player to reach 19 ODI centuries.
