Wisden Cricket Awards 2026
Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma Headline Wisden Cricket Awards 2026
The Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has been known as the “Bible of Cricket” for many years now and getting onto their annual honours list is a huge milestone for a cricketer’s career. So, Indian cricket is celebrating in 2026 because Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma have made it on to the distinguished list of winners for the Wisden Cricket Awards.
Shubman Gill: The New “Cricketer of the Year”:
Shubman Gill, who has been named among the Five Cricketers of the Year, is transitioning from a player with potential to an absolute force in batting around the globe. This award is unique because it can only be given to any specific player once in a lifetime, and is determined by the player’s contribution during the last English summer and their overall contribution to the game.
Gill has been selected for this award after having a massive run in all formats between 2025 and early 2026. Throughout this time, he was regularly mentioned alongside some of the best players to ever play the game for his pure technical proficiency. Gill dominated the Indian Premier League, and made several important contributors to win important Test matches while establishing himself as the glue in the Indian batting order. His ability to transition from the less challenging conditions of red-ball cricket to the exciting circumstances of T-20 cricket has now established him as an all-time great.
Deepti Sharma: Leading the Way for Women’s Cricket
On the women’s side, Deepti Sharma continues to show that she is one of the most versatile all-rounders in the world. Her recognition by Wisden is further proof that she is consistent and smart on the field. Deepti has been a key player in the Indian women’s team, regularly playing match-winning spells as an off-spinner and providing stability as a batsman in the lower middle order.
Her ability to perform under pressure, particularly in today’s rapidly evolving landscape of women’s franchise T20 cricket and international championship cricket, makes Deepti a valuable player. This award is a reflection of Deepti’s contribution to the growth of the women’s game of cricket in India and around the world.
The Significance of the Honors:
The Wisden Awards go beyond statistics and instead focus on the “spirit of the game” along with the narrative arc of the season.
Legacy: Gill and Sharma join an elite group of past honorees who have included legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Mithali Raj.
Global Reach: Gill and Sharma’s addition to current honorees demonstrates that Indian cricketers continue to excel on the world stage.
Inspiration: The honour given to Gill and Sharma by the oldest cricketing publication serves to inspire young cricketers across India.
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