Harmanpreet Kaur becomes India’s first winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award

Dubai, Oct 10

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Monday was named as the recipient of the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for September 2022.

She also becomes India's first winner of the ICC Women's Player of the Month, thanks to her leading role in her team's first ODI series victory in England, a 3-0 sweep, since 1999.

Harmanpreet claims her inaugural win by overcoming compatriot and her deputy, Smriti Mandhana and Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana in the global vote conducted among media representatives, ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and fans registered at ICC-cricket.com.

"It was great to be nominated for the award and to win it is an amazing feeling. To come out as a winner when being nominated alongside Smriti and Nigar is very humbling. I have always taken immense pride in representing my country and achieving the historic ODI series win in England will remain a landmark moment for me in my career," said Harmanpreet on receiving the honour.

Despite not getting runs and desired results in the T20I series in England at the start of the month, Harmanpreet was in imperious form during the subsequent ODI series which followed with bagging Player of the Series award as the highest run-getter with 221 runs at an average of 221 and a strike rate of 103.27.

"The game of cricket is blessed to have some of the finest athletes on the sporting circuit and to be chosen the ICC Women's Player of the Month amongst them is a special recognition for me as an individual and the captain of the Indian cricket team," added Harmanpreet, who is currently captaining India in Women's Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

Scoring 221 runs across the three matches, she guided her side over the finishing line in the first match with a controlled 74 not out, before she clinched the series for her team in style in the second match, striking an unbeaten 143, also her second-best knock in the format, to seal a historic first ODI series victory for her side in England since 1999 and subsequently, a 3-0 series sweep at Lord's.

"Since taking over the captaincy in all three formats, Harmanpreet has taken her game to another level. Not only providing consistency but adding her usual fireworks at the end of the innings," said Lisa Sthalekar, former Australia cricketer, ICC Hall of Famer and member of the voting panel.

--IANS