Shubman Gill, Mossadek Hossain, Nathan Smith nominated for ICC Player of Month June 2026
Synopsis
Three series winners, three different formats, one monthly award. Shubman Gill's 238-run ODI blitz against Afghanistan — played through cramps — puts him alongside Mossadek Hossain's fairytale return against Australia and Nathan Smith's 16-wicket haul in England. The ICC Player of the Month for June 2026 is genuinely wide open.
Key Takeaways
Shubman Gill , Mossadek Hossain , and Nathan Smith are the three nominees for the ICC Men's Player of the Month for June 2026 .
Gill scored 126 in the one-off Test and 238 runs across two ODI innings against Afghanistan, including a 154 off 110 balls in Lucknow.
Hossain returned from a four-year international hiatus to score 157 runs and help Bangladesh win a 2-1 ODI series over Australia .
Smith claimed 16 wickets — the most in the series — including 6 for 70 at Lord's , as New Zealand won 2-1 in England.
All three players were named Player of the Series in their respective assignments.
India captain Shubman Gill has been nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for June 2026, the sport's global governing body confirmed on Monday, 13 July. Gill faces competition from Bangladesh all-rounder Mossadek Hossain and New Zealand fast bowler Nathan Smith, both of whom delivered match-winning performances across formats during the same period.
Gill's Dominant June
Shubman Gill was in imperious form throughout India's home series against Afghanistan, leading the side in both the Test and ODI formats. He opened his account for the month with a commanding 126 in the one-off Test in New Chandigarh — his 11th Test century — laced with 15 boundaries and a six, as India secured an innings victory.
Gill then shifted gears in the ODI series, accumulating a staggering 238 runs across just two innings. A brisk 84 off 66 balls in the opening ODI at Dharamshala was followed by a magnificent 154 off 110 balls in Lucknow — the latter played through severe cramps. He walked away with both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series honours as India completed a 3-0 sweep, sealing the series in Chennai.
Hossain's Fairytale Return
Mossadek Hossain made a remarkable comeback to international cricket after a four-year absence, and did so in style. The Bangladesh all-rounder was central to his side's historic 2-1 ODI series win over Australia — only the second time Bangladesh have beaten Australia in an ODI series.
In the opening match, Hossain contributed an unbeaten 86, claimed two wickets, and took a crucial catch to set the tone. He finished as Bangladesh's top scorer in the series with 157 runs and was named Player of the Series. Notably, this is the kind of multi-disciplinary impact that ICC monthly nominations increasingly reward.
Smith's Series-Defining Pace
Nathan Smith shouldered the burden of a depleted New Zealand pace attack to engineer a memorable 2-1 Test series victory in England. Smith finished as the series' leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps, highlighted by a sensational 6 for 70 at Lord's. He, too, earned the Player of the Series award for his efforts.
This comes amid a broader pattern of New Zealand unearthing pace-bowling talent capable of performing under English conditions — a recurring theme in their overseas Test campaigns. Smith's haul at Lord's, in particular, underlines his growing stature at the highest level.
What Happens Next
The winner of the ICC Men's Player of the Month for June 2026 will be decided by a combination of ICC voting panel deliberation and public fan vote. All three nominees — Gill, Hossain, and Smith — earned series awards in their respective campaigns, making this one of the more competitive monthly shortlists of the year.
Point of View
Not just individual cameos. Gill's case is strong on volume and context — leading a side, batting through cramps, anchoring a sweep — but Hossain's return from four years away to dismantle Australia has the kind of narrative weight that fan votes tend to reward. Smith's 16 wickets in England is the most technically impressive of the three, yet pace bowlers have historically been undervalued in monthly award cycles. The ICC's dual voting model — panel plus public — will be the real test of whether merit or story wins.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the ICC Men's Player of the Month nominees for June 2026?
The three nominees are India captain Shubman Gill, Bangladesh all-rounder Mossadek Hossain, and New Zealand fast bowler Nathan Smith. All three were named Player of the Series in their respective assignments during June 2026.
What did Shubman Gill do to earn his ICC nomination?
Gill scored 126 in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh and then amassed 238 runs in two ODI innings — including a 154 off 110 balls in Lucknow — as India swept the series 3-0. He won both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Why is Mossadek Hossain's nomination significant?
Hossain had been out of international cricket for four years before his recall. He scored 157 runs and contributed with the ball and in the field to help Bangladesh beat Australia 2-1 in an ODI series — only the second time Bangladesh have achieved that feat.
How did Nathan Smith perform in the England Test series?
Smith finished as the leading wicket-taker of New Zealand's 2-1 Test series win in England, claiming 16 wickets including a match-turning 6 for 70 at Lord's. He was named Player of the Series for his efforts.
When will the ICC Player of the Month winner for June 2026 be announced?
The ICC has not specified an exact announcement date, but winners are typically revealed within a few weeks of the nomination announcement. The result is decided by a combination of an ICC voting panel and a public fan vote.
