March 2026 ICC Men's Player of the Month Nominees Announced

The ICC has announced the nominees for the Men's Player of the Month for March 2026, spotlighting Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah from India, along with South Africa's Connor Esterhuizen. Each player has showcased exceptional talent during the T20 World Cup and their respective series, making this a competitive selection. Read on to learn more about their remarkable performances and contributions to their teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 6, 2026, 15:17 IST

ICC Reveals Men's Player of the Month Nominees for March 2026

On Monday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the nominees for the Men's Player of the Month for March 2026. Among the contenders are two standout players from India's T20 World Cup victory: Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah, alongside South Africa's emerging talent, Connor Esterhuizen.

Sanju Samson's Stellar Performance

Although Sanju Samson did not feature in India's starting lineup during the early matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, his inclusion proved pivotal. He delivered remarkable performances, scoring 97* against the West Indies in a crucial Super 8 match, followed by 89 against England in the semi-final, and another 89 in the final against New Zealand. These contributions not only helped India retain their T20I title but also earned him the Player of the Tournament accolade.

In March 2026, Samson accumulated a total of 275 runs across three key T20Is, boasting an impressive average of 137.50 and a striking strike rate of 199.27. His outstanding displays earned him consecutive Player of the Match awards and a spot in the top 20 of the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings.

Jasprit Bumrah's Bowling Brilliance

Jasprit Bumrah, a cornerstone of India's bowling attack, showcased his skills during the knockout rounds of the T20 World Cup, culminating in India's triumph on March 8. Throughout the tournament, Bumrah was exceptional, taking two wickets in the Super 8 match against the West Indies, including the key wicket of Shimron Hetmyer.

In the semi-final against England, where bowlers struggled, Bumrah stood out by conceding only eight and six runs in the 16th and 18th overs, respectively. His final figures of 4-0-33-1 were crucial as India narrowly won by seven runs while defending a total of 253.

He capped off his tournament with a four-wicket haul in the final against New Zealand, allowing just 15 runs in four overs, which earned him the Player of the Match award.

Connor Esterhuizen's Impressive Debut

South African wicket-keeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen made a notable impact in his debut T20I series against New Zealand, amassing 200 runs over five matches with an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 145.98.

Following a successful SA20 season, Esterhuizen kicked off his international T20I career with a score of 45*. He also achieved his first fifty in the fourth match of the series, where he was named Player of the Match for his 57 runs off 33 balls.

Esterhuizen concluded the series as the top run-scorer, including a crucial 75 off 33 balls in the decisive fifth T20I, which helped South Africa clinch the series 3-2, earning him his second Player of the Match award in consecutive games.