ICC Snubs Virat Kohli: A Surprising Omission in Player of the Month Nominees
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently unveiled the nominees for the Player of the Month for December 2025, and Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli was surprisingly left out. This unexpected omission has sparked discussions about the selection process and its implications, particularly for North East India and the broader Indian context.
Nominees for December 2025
The nominees for the Player of the Month for December 2025 are Mitchell Starc from Australia, Jacob Duffy from New Zealand, and Justin Greaves from the West Indies. Each of these players had exceptional performances in their respective series.
Justin Greaves: A Star Performance in New Zealand
Justin Greaves earned his nomination after a stellar Test series in New Zealand, scoring 283 runs at an average of 56.60. His unbeaten 202 in Christchurch saved the first Test, while his five wickets further underlined his all-round impact.
Jacob Duffy: Leading Wicket-Taker in New Zealand's Series Win
Kiwi sensation Jacob Duffy dominated the home Test series against the West Indies, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 15.43. His performances were central to New Zealand's 2-0 series win and earned him Player of the Series honours.
Mitchell Starc: A Deserving Nominee for the Ashes 2025-26
Mitchell Starc, arguably the most deserving of the lot, starred with a match-winning Ashes 2025-26 campaign, where he took 16 wickets in December, overall 32 in the series, and contributed valuable lower-order runs.
Virat Kohli: A Strong Case for Nomination Ignored
Despite a remarkable outing against South Africa during the three-match ODI series, Indian legend Virat Kohli was surprisingly overlooked from the nominations. The right-handed batter top-scored with 302 runs in the series, including consecutive centuries in the first two matches, on November 30 and December 3.
In the series decider, Kohli smashed an unbeaten 65 off just 45 balls to guide his team to a 2-1 victory over the Proteas. With a staggering average of 151, his performances would have posed a strong case for nomination. However, having featured in only two matches during December, one fewer than Jacob Duffy and Justin Greaves (both were part of three tests), this may have worked against his selection.
Implications for North East India and Beyond
The snubbing of Virat Kohli raises questions about the selection process and its fairness. In the context of North East India, this incident highlights the challenges faced by players from the region in gaining recognition at the international level. The North East region has produced several talented cricketers, but they often struggle to break into the national team and earn international accolades.
Moreover, this incident underscores the need for a more transparent and objective selection process that takes into account all relevant factors, such as the number of matches played and the quality of performances, rather than relying solely on the number of matches played.
Looking Forward
Virat Kohli will now look to mount another push for the award in January, when India face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, offering him a fresh opportunity to make his mark. Meanwhile, the ICC is expected to announce the Player of the Month for December 2025 soon.