India captain Shubman Gill, England captain Ben Stokes and South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder have been nominated for the International Cricket Council’s Player of the Month award. Gill’s nomination comes after an extraordinary run in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with the bat and leading the team to a draw in the series in his very first assignment as captain away from home.
The five-match Test series is widely being rated as one of the greatest of the century, with the last Test ending with an Indian victory despite them being in a seemingly hopeless situation for much of Day 4. Gill scored a whopping 754 runs in the series with four centuries, including a double ton, at 75.40 to break legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s record (732) for the highest run tally for an Indian captain in a five-Test series.
Gill’s returns are now also the second-best behind Sir Donald Bradman (810 runs) in the all-time list for captains.
“Shubman Gill had a sensational month, amassing 567 runs at an impeccable average of 94.50 in three Tests during India’s gripping series in England,” the ICC wrote on its website.
“He played a starring role in India’s record-breaking win at Edgbaston, where he scored a monumental 269 in the first innings followed by 161 in the second. His combined 430 runs across the two innings is the second highest tally, next only to Graham Gooch’s 456,” it added.
The ICC said Gill carried the baton from “all-time great” Virat Kohli at No.4.
“His consistency at No. 4, carrying on the baton from all-time great Virat Kohli, provided stability and flair in equal measure, and combined with his extraordinary captaincy in his debut series,” it said.
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In his maiden outing as South Africa captain, Mulder struck a mammoth 367 not out against Zimbabwe but declared his team’s innings when he could have broken legendary Brian Lara’s record for highest individual total of 400 not out against England in 2004.
The ICC said, “He scored 531 runs across the two matches at an astonishing average of 265.50, including a composed 147 in the second innings of the first Test.” “However, his standout act came in the second Test at Bulawayo, where he smashed an unbeaten 367 in his maiden outing as South Africa’s Test skipper — the highest individual score in South African Test history.” “Mulder also chipped in with the ball, claiming seven wickets at just 15.28 apiece, including a four-wicket haul in the first Test,” it added.
The ICC lauded Stokes for his all-round show against India saying, “He scored 251 runs at an average of 50.20 and took 12 wickets at 26.33, delivering in high-pressure situations with both bat and ball.” “His leadership proved crucial in maintaining England’s intensity and belief in a closely contested series. With ball in hand, he bowled long spells, often breaking key partnerships and turning the tide in England’s favour,” it added.
With PTI inputs
