Unexpected Winner! This Cricketer Beats Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy for ICC Player of the Month

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, December 5 announced the Player of the Month for November. South Africa’s Simon Harmer beat Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam and Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz to claim the award for the first time.

Harmer was nominated along with Taijul Islam and Mohammad Nawaz for the ICC Player of the Month award for November. Thanks to his heroics with the ball in the Test series against India, he got the nod over the other two candidates and won the award. Even though Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy had a good month, it was Harmer who went on to win this prestigious award.

Simon Harmer Appointed ICC Player of the Month November 2025

Simon Harmer was one of the main reasons behind South Africa winning the Test series in India by a margin of 2-0, helping the Proteas side win the series for the first time since. In both games, he oozed his class with the ball and troubled the Indian batters. Harmer picks 17 wickets to win the ICC Player of the Month for November.

In the first Test in Kolkata, Simon Harmer bagged eight wickets, four each in two innings, to help South Africa win the match by 30 runs. In the second game in Guwahati, he bagged three wickets in the first innings and then followed it up with 6/37 in the second innings to help his team register a dominant 408-run victory.

The off-spinner ended the Test series against India as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 8.94 and an economy of 5.66. His heroics also helped his team gain important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points and move to the second spot in the points table. With this performance, he etched his name among the best Test bowlers in the world.

Simon Harmer on Winning ICC Player of the Month for November

Simon Harmer ICC award is a big reward for his brilliant outing on India tour. On winning the ICC Player of Month November 2025, Simon Harmer said that playing for his country is a dream come true for him and he will share this award with his teammates, coaches and support staff.

“It’s a privilege to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for November Playing for my country is a dream come true and anything else that comes from it as a result is a bonus," Harmer stated.

“I share this award with my teammates, coaches and support staff and dedicate it to my family who allow me to go out and live my dream, often having to leave them at home to do so," he further added.

Simon Harmer was also sensational with the ball in the Test series against Pakistan before the India series. Since making his comeback in the South African side, he has looked a class apart with the ball. His record clearly suggest why he is among the best spinners in the world right now.

Harmer would be keen to carry on his good form ahead and help South Africa defend their ICC WTC title, which they won earlier this year by beating Australia in the final in England.