Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson in race for ICC Player of the Month award for March
Sanju Samson was adjudged Player of the Tournament of T20 World Cup 2026 (Source: BCCI)
Published - 06 Apr 2026, 12:29 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Star India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson have been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award for March. Both Samson and Bumrah played a pivotal role in India’s T20 World 2026 triumph.
While Samson wasn’t a part of the playing XI initially and was brought back into the team following a tactical change from the team management, Bumrah was once again the pace spearhead, taking crucial wickets for the team every time he came on to bowl.
Despite his late entry, Samson completely transformed India’s campaign, scoring three successive 80-plus scores in must-win games, which eventually led to India’s successful title defence on home soil. He finished the tournament as India’s highest run scorer despite playing just five games.
He was third on the list of leading run scorers of the tournament, having accumulated 321 runs from five innings at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. Courtesy of his performance, Samson was bestowed with the prestigious Player of the Tournament award following India’s historic win.
On the other hand, Bumrah was once again at his menacing best both with the new and the old ball, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 14 scalps to his name from eight innings.
He saved his best for the last, taking 4/15 in four overs in the final against New Zealand at his home ground, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Connor Esterhuizen also earns nomination
Apart from the Indian duo, South Africa wicketkeeper batter Connor Esterhuizen has also earned a nomination after an impressive debut in the T20I series against New Zealand. The 24-year-old played a key role in guiding South Africa to a 3-2 victory in the five-match series, finishing as the highest run scorer of the rubber.
Esterhuizen finished with 200 runs in five matches, at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 145.98. He scored a breathtaking 75 off 33 balls in the series-deciding fifth T20I, helping South Africa post a massive score of 187/4 and eventually set up a 33-run victory to seal the series.
