Samson, Bumrah in ICC Player of the Month race after T20 World Cup heroics
India's T20 World Cup triumph sees Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah nominated for ICC Player of the Month. Samson's explosive batting, including three crucial high scores, earned him Player of the Tournament. Bumrah's match-winning spells in the semi-final and final, with seven wickets in three games, also impressed.
South Africa's Connor Esterhuizen completes the shortlist with a stellar T20I series.
NEW DELHI: Two Indian stars have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for March 2026, underlining the country’s dominance during their triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. Joining them in the three-man shortlist is a rising South African batter who impressed in a bilateral series. The nominations reflect a month dominated by high-pressure performances, particularly in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup, where India successfully defended their title on home soil.
World Cup performances dominate shortlist India’s campaign was defined by match-winning contributions in crunch situations, and the two nominees played pivotal roles in sealing the title. One of the nominees, Sanju Samson scripted a remarkable turnaround, going from the sidelines to becoming the tournament’s standout performer. Once included during the Super Eights, the wicketkeeper-batter produced a stunning run of scores — 97 in a must-win clash, followed by back-to-back 89s in the semifinal and final.
His tally of 275 runs in three crucial matches came at a staggering average of 137. 50 and a strike rate nearing 200, earning him the Player of the Tournament award. Complementing that batting brilliance was India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who once again proved decisive in knockout cricket.