ICC picks Team India skipper Shubman Gill among nominees for Player of the Month award

Shubman Gill (Pic: X/@ShubmanGill)

Team India's Test captain Shubman Gill has been named among the three nominees for the ICC's Player of the Month award for July. The other two nominees are South Africa's Wiaan Mulder and England skipper Ben Stokes.

Gill, in his first captaincy assignment in the traditional format of the game, led India to a series draw against the 'Three Lions'.

While enjoying the rich vein of form, the 25-year-old broke several batting records during the five-match Test series against the Englishmen.

Having played all five Test matches, the right-hander accumulated 754 runs, with four centuries, including a double ton. He also surpassed legendary Sunil Gavaskar's record of 732 runs to become the Indian captain to score the most runs in a five-match Test series.

His tally is also the second best after Sir Donald Bradman's record of 810 runs in the all-time list of 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.

On the other hand, in his maiden outing as South Africa captain, Wiaan Mulder registered a score of an unbeaten 367 runs against Zimbabwe. Later, he declared his team's innings, despite having an opportunity to break legendary Brian Lara's record of the highest individual score of an unbeaten 400 runs against England in 2004.

"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," read the ICC release.

England skipper Ben Stokes delivered an exceptional all-rounder performance during the Test series against India. With the willow, he scored 251 runs and also snapped 12 wickets. The series witnessed each of its five matches ending after playing for all five days.

(With PTI Inputs)