The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for March 2026. India’s Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah are among the top contenders after their excellent performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
South Africa’s young batter Connor Esterhuizen is the third nominee. He impressed many with his strong performance in a T20I series against New Zealand.
Sanju Samson played a key role in India’s success in the World Cup. Even though he did not play in the early matches, he made a big impact later. He scored an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in an important match. He then scored 89 runs in both the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand.
In just three matches during March, Samson scored a total of 275 runs. His consistent batting helped India win crucial games, and he was also named Player of the Tournament.
Jasprit Bumrah was equally important for India with the ball. The fast bowler delivered match-winning performances, especially in the knockout matches. In the final, he took four wickets for just 15 runs, helping India secure victory.
He also bowled very well in the semi-final against England, keeping the pressure on the opposition. Bumrah’s calm and accurate bowling made a big difference in tight situations.
Connor Esterhuizen, meanwhile, had a great start to his international career. The South African batter scored 200 runs in five matches against New Zealand. He maintained an average of 50 and played an important role in helping his team win the series. He was also named Player of the Series.
The ICC Player of the Month award is given to the best players based on their performances during the month. The winner is chosen through votes from ICC experts and cricket fans around the world.
With strong performances from all three players, the race for the March award is expected to be close.
