NEW DELHI: Star Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana were named ICC Players of the Month for September on Thursday, following their outstanding performances in the Asia Cup and the women's ODI series against Australia, respectively.

The young Indian opener rose to fame in no time with his consistency and fearless play, making him one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. He claimed the award ahead of teammate Kuldeep Yadav and Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett.

"It feels great to win this ICC award and I am happy that it has come for some important matches that I could help win," he said.

"I am proud to be part of a team that can pull off victories from the most difficult of situations. Our recent track record in T20Is reflects our outstanding team culture and positive mindset.

"I thank the team management for their guidance and to all my teammates for their support. I am also thankful to the panel that selected me for this award."

The 25-year-old continued his meteoric rise by scoring 314 runs in seven T20Is during the Asia Cup, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer and earning the Player of the Tournament award.

He averaged 44.85 at the tournament, maintaining an exceptional strike rate of 200, and notched up three half-centuries.

His 61-run knock against Sri Lanka also propelled him to a career-high rating of 931 points on the ICC Men's T20I Batter Rankings, surpassing England's Dawid Malan, who had held the previous best of 919 points since 2020.

Abhishek scored 75 against Pakistan in India's group-stage victory, following a fluent 74 against Bangladesh. Apart from the final, which India won, he scored 30 or more runs in every match of the tournament.

Mandhana, on the other hand, was outstanding in the home ODI series against Australia, scoring 58, 117 and 125 in the three matches.

The Indian women's team vice-captain scored 308 runs in four ODIs during the period at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 135.68.

Mandhana, who is in the midst of India's campaign in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, struck the fastest century by an India batter during the Australia series when she reached the three-figure mark off just 50 deliveries in the third match.

South Africa's Tazmin Brits and Pakistan’s Sidra Amin were the others in the running for the award.

"A recognition like this pushes me to keep growing and evolving as a player. My aim has always been to deliver my best and win matches for the team," Mandhana said.