Imagine a young cricketer stepping onto the global stage and not just participating, but dominating—that’s exactly what India’s Shafali Verma did, and now she’s in the spotlight for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award. But here’s where it gets controversial: is her meteoric rise a testament to raw talent, or does it highlight the gaps in women’s cricket opportunities? Let’s dive in.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, Shafali Verma, India’s explosive opener, was shortlisted for the ICC Player of the Month for November. Her stunning 87 runs and two crucial wickets in the ICC Women’s World Cup final against South Africa in Mumbai didn’t just earn her the Player of the Match award—it helped India clinch their first-ever World Cup title. What’s even more remarkable? Shafali was initially drafted as an injury replacement, proving that sometimes, opportunity meets preparedness in the most spectacular way. Her all-round brilliance now places her among the top three nominees for this monthly honor.
Joining Shafali on the women’s shortlist are two rising stars from the inaugural ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in Bangkok: Esha Oza of the UAE and Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong. And this is the part most people miss: these players are not just competing; they’re redefining what’s possible for women’s cricket in their regions. Oza, the UAE captain, amassed 187 runs at a strike rate of 137.50 and took seven wickets across seven T20Is, rightfully earning the Player of the Tournament award. Putthawong, meanwhile, finished as the joint leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets, including a game-changing four-wicket haul in the final against Scotland that sealed Thailand’s victory.
Switching gears to the men’s category, the shortlist features South Africa’s Simon Harmer, Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz. Harmer’s performance in South Africa’s historic 2-0 Test series win over India—their first in 25 years—was nothing short of extraordinary. With 17 wickets at an average of 8.94, including a match-winning 6/37 in the second Test, he walked away with both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors. Here’s a thought-provoking question: Is Harmer’s dominance a sign of South Africa’s resurgence, or is it a reflection of India’s vulnerabilities in Test cricket?
Taijul Islam led Bangladesh’s 2-0 sweep of Ireland with 13 wickets at 26.30, securing the Player of the Series award. Meanwhile, Nawaz showcased his all-round prowess during Pakistan’s Tri-Series win against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. With 104 ODI runs at 52.00, 11 T20I wickets at 12.72, and a match-winning 3/17 in the final, he added another Player of the Series accolade to his name.
Now, the fate of these nominees lies in the hands of the independent ICC Voting Academy and fans worldwide, with fan voting open on the ICC website. But here’s the real question for you: Who deserves the title most, and why? Is it Shafali’s World Cup heroics, Oza’s leadership, Putthawong’s wicket-taking prowess, Harmer’s historic performance, Taijul’s consistency, or Nawaz’s all-round brilliance? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
