Abhishek Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Smriti Mandhana nominated for ICC Player of the Month awards for September

ICC has nominated Indian cricketers Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav in the men's and Smriti Mandhana in the women's section for the 'ICC Player of the Month' awards for September.

Left-handed T20 specialist Abhishek Sharma delievered a blazing performance in India's Asia Cup-winning campaign in the UAE. He was named 'Player of the Tournament' for his 314 runs in seven T20Is, including three half-centuries with a staggering strike rate of 200. He also reached the highest batting rating ever recorded in men's T20I history with 931 points.

Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav performed starkingly well in the Asia Cup tournament, where India beat Pakistan thrice, emerging as the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps at an economy rate of 6.27.


Yadav began the campaign in high-stakes tournament with figures of 4/7 against the UAE and finished with 4/30 in the title win against Pakistan.

Star India top-order batter Smriti Mandhana earned the 'Player of the Series' award against Australia in the closely-contested three-match ODI series last month. She has been nominated for the 'ICC Player of the Month' in the women's section.

Mandana scored 308 runs in four ODIs in September at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135.68.

The left-hander scored 58, 117 and 125 against the Southern Stars. Despite a loss in the first game, her century in the following game helped the hosts level the series. She slammed another century in the decider but India were unlucky to lose the series 1-2.

Pakistan opener Sidra Amin and South Africa's Tazmin Brits are the other two nominees for the award.

(with inputs from PTI)