India all-rounder Washington Sundar has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month Award for July, alongside England's Gus Atkinson and Scotland's Charlie Cassell. After years of perseverance and overcoming injuries, Sundar has finally made his mark in international cricket. During India's tour of Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series, Sundar, stepping in for regulars resting post-World Cup, emerged as the leading spin-bowling all-rounder for his team.
Sundar shone in India's surprising loss in the first T20I, taking 2/11 and scoring 27 runs, though India fell short by 13 runs in a chase of 115. He was instrumental in turning the series around, helping India secure a 4-1 victory by claiming six more wickets over the remaining four matches. His standout performance in the third T20I earned him the Player of the Match award with figures of 3/15, and he was later named Player of the Series with a total of eight wickets.
Returning for the Sri Lanka series, Sundar featured in just one match but made an impact by winning the Player of the Match award in a thrilling Super Over.
In a notable moment at Lord's, England's Gus Atkinson made a spectacular Test debut during James Anderson's farewell match. The 26-year-old pacer claimed 12 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. His debut performance featured remarkable figures of 7/45 in the first innings against the West Indies and a follow-up five-wicket haul (5/61), leading England to an innings win by 114 runs.
Charlie Cassell made a remarkable entry into international cricket with his ODI debut against Oman in Dundee. Cassell's debut was highlighted by a record-breaking seven-wicket haul (7/21), surpassing Kagiso Rabada’s previous record of 6/16 for the best ODI debut bowling figures. His debut included two wickets off his first two deliveries and a five-wicket haul by the 18th over. Cassell's performance ranks as the 7th-best ODI bowling figures in history, surpassed only by legends like Andy Bichel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Rashid Khan, Glenn McGrath, Shahid Afridi, and Chaminda Vaas.