Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana claim ICC player of the month awards

On Tuesday, 09 July, Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were declared the winners hence making India become the first team to win both ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month Awards in the same cycle. Jasprit Bumrah got recognition for his heroic acts during the T20 World Cup which led India to their victory, and Smriti Mandhana was recognized following her outstanding performance against South Africa while playing at home.

Jasprit Bumrah overtook his teammate Rohit Sharma and Afghanistan’s opening batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz for the award. Though a tough challenge yet Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament following his game-changing spells during crucial moments in India’s triumphant journey.

On the greatest stage of all, Bumrah left his mark after his fast bowling display completely turned the tide when South Africa seemed to be heading towards victory during their chase of 177 in the Barbados final. In the context of an exciting ending at Bridgetown, the seamer wrong-footed everything by claiming the wicket of Marco Jansen and squeezing a mere three runs in his last two overs hence India would hold on by seven runs and win their first ICC silverware since 2013 to the delight of fans.

Winning the championship and lifting the trophy was something I will never forget,” Bumrah said in a note that was released by ICC. “I would like to commend captain Rohit Sharma and Rahmanullah Gurbaz for their outstanding performances during the same season, and I feel honored to have won the award.”

Conversely, Smriti Mandhana claimed the award of “ICC Player of the Month” for the first time in her career. Two of Smriti’s tons helped India beat South Africa in the ODI series played in Bengaluru last month. In the last match she nearly made three in a row just managing 90 as India won the series comfortably.

During the month, Mandhana scored 343 runs at an astonishing average of 114.33, with a strike rate of over 100, earning her the Player of the Series award. Smriti overtook England’s Maia Bouchier and Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne for the Player of the Month award.