Cricket fans often look forward to the big annual awards, but the game moves fast. To recognize consistent excellence throughout the year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the Player of the Month award in January 2021. This initiative honors both male and female cricketers who produce match-winning performances in international cricket across all formats.
Whether it is a match-saving Test century, a clinical spell of fast bowling in ODIs, or a quick-fire T20 cameo, this award brings monthly achievements into the global spotlight.
How the Winners are Chosen: The Voting Process
The selection process is a blend of expert analysis and fan participation. It ensures that the winner is not just a statistical leader but someone who truly impacted the game during that specific month.
The Nominations: At the end of each month, an ICC specialist committee shortlists three male and three female candidates based on their on-field performances.
The Voting Academy (90% Weightage): A panel consisting of prominent cricket journalists, former legendary players, and experienced broadcasters from across the globe cast their votes.
The Public Vote (10% Weightage): Registered fans on the ICC website can vote for their favorite nominee.
The combined result of the Academy and the fans determines the final winner for both categories.
The Foundation Years: 2021 Highlights
The year 2021 marked the beginning of this monthly tradition. India’s Rishabh Pant and South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail made history by becoming the first-ever recipients of this prestigious honor.
Key Moments of 2021
Pakistan’s Rise: Babar Azam secured the award in April 2021, followed by Fatima Sana in July 2021, marking a great year for Pakistan cricket.
The Spin Mastery: Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga showed his class in mid-2021, proving how vital spinners are in the shorter formats.
ICC Player of the Month Winners: 2021
Consolidation and Big Names: 2022 Highlights
By 2022, the award had become a major talking point in the cricket community. This year saw established stars like Virat Kohli and Alyssa Healy claiming the trophy, alongside rising talents from emerging nations.
Key Moments of 2022
The Kohli Comeback: After a tough patch, Virat Kohli’s heroic performance against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup earned him the October award.
Australian Dominance: The Australian women's team showed why they are world champions, with multiple players featuring in the winner's list throughout the year.
ICC Player of the Month Winners: 2022
The Years of Records and World Cups: 2023 Highlights
The year 2023 was dominated by the lead-up to and the execution of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Consequently, the monthly awards often reflected the top performers from the tournament.
Key Moments of 2023
Shubman Gill’s Rise: The young Indian opener became the talk of the town, winning the award twice within the first nine months of the year.
The Gardner Era: Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner set a new benchmark for women's cricket by becoming the first player to win the award in consecutive months (June and July).
World Cup Impact: Towards the end of the year, Mohammed Shami and Travis Head were recognized for their match-winning spells and centuries that defined the World Cup knockout stages.
ICC Player of the Month Winners: 2023