Shafali Verma has been named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November following her outstanding performance in India’s ICC Women’s World Cup final victory against South Africa.
The award capped a remarkable turnaround for Verma, who had earlier been dropped from the national squad before returning to domestic cricket to rediscover form. Her comeback culminated in a match-winning display in the final, where she scored 87 off 78 balls, the highest score by an Indian opener in a Women’s World Cup final, according to the ICC.
Verma also made vital contributions with the ball, dismissing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp. She came into the playing XI as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who was ruled out due to injury, and went on to play a central role alongside Smriti Mandhana as India posted 298/7, a record 104-run partnership in a World Cup final.
“My first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup experience didn’t go as I expected, but it ended far better than I could have ever wished or imagined,” said Verma.
“I’m grateful that I could contribute to the team’s success in the Final and that I was able to be a part of making history in winning the World Cup for the first time and in front of a home crowd. I’m truly honoured to be named the Women’s Player of the Month for November. I dedicate this award to my teammates, coaches, family and everyone who has supported my journey until now. We win and lose as a team; the same goes for this award,” she added.
Verma was also named Player of the Match for her all-round performance, as India became only the fourth team to lift the Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy.
Meanwhile, South African off-spinner Simon Harmer was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November 2025 for his standout performance in the ICC World Test Championship series against India.
Harmer played a pivotal role in South Africa’s historic series win, finishing with 17 wickets across two Tests at an average of 8.94 and an economy rate of 5.66. In the opening Test in Kolkata, he claimed four wickets in the first innings to restrict India’s lead to 30 runs, before producing a nine-wicket haul in the second Test at Guwahati.