Shafali Verma, only Indian among ICC Player of the Month for December nominees
Shafali’s inclusion comes after a sensational run against Sri Lanka, where the 20-year-old set the tone at the top of the order with fearless strokeplay.
India’s World Cup final hero Shafali Verma has capped off a landmark month by earning a nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for November, following her starring role in guiding India to their maiden Women’s World Cup title. Her nomination headlines a strong Indian presence across the ICC’s monthly honours, which also include a men’s shortlist featuring standout performers from South Africa, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
A late call-up to India’s World Cup squad, Shafali produced a defining all-round display in the final, top-scoring with 87 off 78 balls at a strike rate of 111.53 to set up India’s historic triumph. She later delivered with the ball too, dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp for figures of 2 for 36, breaking critical partnerships at pressure moments. Her single ODI outing in November was enough to underline her impact on the biggest stage.
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Shafali is joined on the women’s shortlist by Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, who finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy with 15 wickets, and UAE all-rounder Esha Oza, who scored 187 runs and picked up seven wickets in the same tournament. Both impressed in their respective campaigns, but Shafali’s World Cup heroics place India firmly at the centre of the month’s honours.
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In the men’s category, the ICC shortlisted South Africa’s Simon Harmer, Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz. Harmer was the standout, playing a pivotal role in South Africa’s historic 2-0 Test series win over India, their first in 25 years. The off-spinner’s remarkable return of 17 wickets at 8.94, including a match-winning 6 for 37 in Guwahati, earned him both Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Bangladesh’s Taijul continued his dominance in home conditions, taking 13 wickets in the 2-0 sweep of Ireland, while Pakistan’s Nawaz delivered a strong all-round performance in the Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, contributing with both bat and ball to clinch the title.
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