### South Africa's Simon Harmer and India's Shafali Verma Shine as ICC Players of the Month for November 2025 In November 2025, two cricketers stood out in international cricket, earning the prestigious ICC Player of the Month awards. South African spinner Simon Harmer was recognized for his exceptional bowling performance during the Test series against India, while Indian opener Shafali Verma was honored for her match-winning display in the Women's Cricket World Cup final against South Africa. Both players demonstrated remarkable skill and determination, contributing significantly to their teams' successes in landmark matches. ### Breakdown of Achievements 1. **Simon Harmer's Performance**: - Harmer played a pivotal role in South Africa's 2-0 Test series victory over India, marking the first time in 25 years that South Africa won a Test series in India. - He took **17 wickets** across the two matches at an outstanding average of **8.94**, showcasing his dominance over the Indian batting lineup [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/simon_harmer_wins_icc_player_of_the_month_for_november_2025/s1_17729_43208100]. - This award marked Harmer's first ICC monthly accolade, highlighting his significant contributions to the team's success [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/icc-men-s-player-of-the-month-for-november-2025-announced]. 2. **Shafali Verma's Performance**: - Verma's standout performance in the Women's World Cup final included a crucial **87 runs off 78 balls**, leading India to victory over South Africa [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/shafali-verma-wins-icc-player-of-month-award-november-2025-odi-world-cup-final]. - Her all-round capabilities were further demonstrated as she also contributed with the ball, solidifying her impact in the match [https://thenewsmill.com/2025/12/shafali-verma-claims-icc-womens-player-of-the-month-for-november-after-her-match-winning-performance-in-the-womens-cwc-final]. - This award was a significant recognition for Verma, marking her first ICC Player of the Month title [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/icc-women-s-player-of-the-month-for-november-2025-revealed]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Simon Harmer's Statistics**: - **Matches**: 2 - **Wickets Taken**: 17 - **Bowling Average**: 8.94 - **Impact**: Key player in South Africa's first Test series win in India in 25 years [https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/news/harmer-spins-past-taijul-nawaz-novembers-icc-honour-after-india-test-exploits-4058966]. - **Shafali Verma's Statistics**: - **Final Match Runs**: 87 off 78 balls - **Match Impact**: Instrumental in India's Women's World Cup victory [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3731246-shafali-verma-named-player-of-the-month-for-her-womens-world-cup-final-exploits]. ### Conclusion: A Month of Cricketing Excellence In summary, **November 2025 was a remarkable month for cricket**, with Simon Harmer and Shafali Verma earning ICC Player of the Month honors for their outstanding performances. 1. **Simon Harmer**: - Dominated the Test series against India, leading to a historic series win for South Africa. - Achieved a personal milestone by winning his first ICC monthly award. 2. **Shafali Verma**: - Played a crucial role in India's Women's World Cup victory, showcasing her talent on a global stage. - Secured her first ICC Player of the Month award, marking a significant achievement in her career. Both players not only excelled individually but also contributed to their teams' historic successes, making November 2025 a memorable month in the world of cricket [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/simon-harmer-shafali-verma-icc-player-of-the-month-november-2025-news-india-vs-south-africa/article70398438.ece].