The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the three standout nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2025, spotlighting exceptional individual performances across some of the month’s biggest Test series. The contenders? India’s rising batting sensation Shubman Gill, England’s talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes, and South Africa’s record-breaking powerhouse Wiaan Mulder.
And honestly, choosing a winner might not be as easy as it sounds.
🇮🇳 Shubman Gill – Batting Brilliance in England
Shubman Gill was nothing short of dominant in India’s dramatic four-match Test series against England. He racked up an eye-popping 567 runs at an average of 94.50, featuring two match-defining knocks — 269 and 161 — in Edgbaston, where India pulled off one of their most emphatic away wins in recent memory.
Gill followed that up with a calm and collected 103 in the final Test at Old Trafford, helping India claw their way to a 2–2 series draw. His technique under pressure, especially against a seaming Dukes ball in English conditions, is drawing comparisons to some of the greats — and it’s not hyperbole.
🇿🇦 Wiaan Mulder – South Africa’s Quiet Storm Turns Loud
If Gill was clinical, then Wiaan Mulder was historic. The South African all-rounder smashed 531 runs in just two Tests against Zimbabwe at a staggering average of 265.50 — headlined by a colossal 367 not out, which now stands as South Africa’s highest individual Test score of all time.
But he didn’t stop there. Mulder also picked up 7 wickets at an average of 15.28, including a crucial four-wicket haul that gave his team the upper hand. He’s been around the fringes for years, but this series may just be the turning point that secures his place as a core figure in South Africa’s long-format future.
🏴 Ben Stokes – Vintage Grit, Classic Stokes
England’s Ben Stokes never seems to miss the big moments, and July was no exception. The all-rounder delivered a series of gritty performances with both bat and ball against India. He tallied 251 runs at 50.20, and just as importantly, grabbed 12 wickets at 26.33.
He starred in two unforgettable matches: taking the Player of the Match award at Lord’s and Old Trafford — the latter highlighted by a sensational 141-run innings and a five-wicket haul (5/72). Vintage Stokes stuff: dramatic, impactful, and right when England needed him most.
