July was a blockbuster month for Test cricket, and three standout performers have earned nominations for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month. India’s dynamic captain, alongside two versatile all-rounders from South Africa and England, lit up the red-ball stage with record-breaking feats and match-winning brilliance.
🇮🇳 Shubman Gill (India)
India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, had a month to remember during the high-stakes series in England. In just three matches, he racked up a staggering 567 runs at an average of 94.50, anchoring India’s batting lineup with poise and power.
- 🏟️ At Edgbaston, Gill delivered a historic performance, scoring 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second — a combined 430 runs, second only to Graham Gooch’s legendary 456.
- 💯 He followed up with another century (103) at Old Trafford, helping India secure a vital draw and ultimately a 2-2 series result.
- 🧠 As captain, Gill’s tactical acumen and calm leadership were instrumental, especially in pressure situations where he consistently turned the tide with the bat.
Gill’s emergence as a dependable No.4, succeeding Virat Kohli, has added a new layer of stability and flair to India’s Test setup.
🇿🇦 Wiaan Mulder (South Africa)
South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder delivered a jaw-dropping all-round display in the two-Test series against Zimbabwe, rewriting the record books in the process.
- 🏏 Mulder amassed 531 runs at an eye-popping average of 265.50, including a composed 147 in the first Test.
- 🚀 His unbeaten 367 in the second Test at Bulawayo — his first as South Africa’s Test captain — is now the highest individual score in South African Test history.
- 🎯 With the ball, he claimed 7 wickets at just 15.28, including a four-wicket haul that helped seal the series.
Mulder’s dual impact with bat and ball made him the undisputed Player of the Series, and a strong contender for this month’s top ICC honour.
🏴 Ben Stokes (England)
England’s talismanic captain Ben Stokes once again proved why he’s one of the game’s finest all-rounders, delivering clutch performances throughout the England-India series.
- 🧢 Stokes scored 251 runs at an average of 50.20 and took 12 wickets at 26.33, often stepping up when the pressure was highest.
- 🏆 He was named Player of the Match in consecutive Tests — first at Lord’s, where his all-round effort led England to victory, and then at Old Trafford, where he bagged 5-72 and smashed a counter-attacking 141.
- 🔥 His leadership kept England competitive in a tightly fought series, and his long bowling spells frequently broke crucial partnerships.
Stokes’ relentless energy and game-changing ability make him a perennial threat — and a worthy nominee for July’s top accolade.
🏅 Who Will Take the Crown?
With Gill’s monumental batting, Mulder’s historic all-round heroics, and Stokes’ match-winning grit, July’s shortlist is stacked with elite performances. The ICC’s final decision will be one to watch — each nominee has made a compelling case.
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