ICC Players of the Month for December 2023, Pat Cummins and Deepti Sharma Shine

The cricketing world witnessed outstanding performances in December 2023, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) duly recognized the brilliance of Australia’s Pat Cummins and India’s Deepti Sharma. In a month that showcased cricketing prowess across formats, Cummins and Sharma stood out, earning the prestigious ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards.

1. Pat Cummins: A Bowling Maestro

Australia’s skipper, Pat Cummins, capped off a stellar year with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December. Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia’s Test series triumph against Pakistan, displaying exceptional leadership and bowling prowess.

Dominant Test Series Performance: Cummins led from the front in Australia’s Test series victory over Pakistan, contributing significantly to their successful campaign in 2023.
Inspiring Melbourne Spell: The highlight of Cummins’ month came in the second Test against Pakistan in Melbourne, where he showcased his bowling mastery by taking ten wickets. His crucial five-for in the second innings, including the prized wicket of Mohammed Rizwan, secured a dramatic victory for Australia.
Accolades and Nominations: Cummins, who played a key role in Australia winning the World Test Championship and the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023, is now nominated for the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in the ICC Awards 2023.

2. Deepti Sharma: Multi-Format Brilliance

India’s Deepti Sharma made history by winning her maiden ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for December. Sharma’s exceptional performances across all three formats, especially against England and Australia, earned her this well-deserved recognition.

T20I and Test Brilliance: Sharma began the month with solid contributions in T20Is against England, setting the stage for a remarkable Test performance. In the Test against England, she scored 67 runs and showcased her bowling prowess with a stunning nine-wicket haul.
Test Triumph Against Australia: Deepti continued her exceptional run in the Test against Australia, top-scoring with a crucial 78 runs, contributing significantly to India’s eight-wicket victory.
Consistent ODI Performances: The subsequent ODI matches against Australia witnessed more brilliance from Sharma, including a remarkable five-for in one encounter.