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

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

Thanks to her pivotal contribution in her team's first ODI series victory in England since 1999—a 3-0 sweep—she also becomes India's first recipient of the ICC Women's Player of the Month award.

In the global voting among media representatives, ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and fans registered at icc-cricket.com, Harmanpreet defeated compatriot and her deputy, Smriti Mandhana, and Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana to clinch her first victory.

"Being nominated for the award was fantastic, and winning it is an incredible feeling. It is really humbling to win after being nominated alongside Smriti and Nigar. I have always taken great pride in representing my nation, and I will always look back on the historic ODI series victory in England as a turning point in my career "Harmanpreet expressed his gratitude for the honour.

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

Harmanpreet, who is leading India in the Women's Asia Cup in Bangladesh, continued, "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 among them is a special recognition for me as an individual and the captain of the Indian cricket team.

She scored 221 runs over the course of the three games, leading her team to victory in the first game with a composed 74 not out. In the second game, she gave her team a 3-0 series victory at Lord's by striking an unbeaten 143, which is also her second-best ODI knock. This was the first ODI series victory for her team in England since 1999.

"Since becoming the captain in all three formats, Harmanpreet has improved her performance. Additionally to being consistent, she finishes each inning with her customary pyrotechnics "said Lisa Sthalekar, a former Australian cricketer who is a member of the voting committee and the ICC Hall of Fame.