ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees Announced for March 2026
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month nominees for March 2026 have been revealed, with standout performances from Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah and Connor Esterhuizen earning them recognition after an eventful month of international cricket.
The trio impressed across major fixtures, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and bilateral T20I series.
Samson’s extraordinary World Cup impact
Sanju Samson delivered a remarkable run during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite not starting the tournament in India’s playing XI.
Once included, he produced a series of match-defining innings. He struck an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in a must-win Super Eight clash, followed by 89 against England in the semi-final and another 89 in the final against New Zealand.
These performances played a crucial role in India successfully defending their T20 World Cup title. Samson was also named Player of the Tournament.
Across the three T20Is he played in March, Samson scored 275 runs at an average of 137.50 and a strike rate of 199.27. His performances also earned him back-to-back Player of the Match awards and lifted him into the top 20 of the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings.
Bumrah delivers in key moments
Jasprit Bumrah once again proved decisive in the knockout stages of a major tournament, helping India lift the T20 World Cup trophy on 8 March.
He took two wickets in the Super Eight match against West Indies, including the key dismissal of Shimron Hetmyer.
In the semi-final against England, Bumrah stood out in a high-scoring contest where other bowlers conceded more than 9.5 runs per over. His figures of 4-0-33-1 included crucial spells in the 16th and 18th overs, where he conceded just eight and six runs respectively, helping restrict England, who fell seven runs short while chasing 253.
He followed that with a match-winning performance in the final against New Zealand, claiming four wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs and earning Player of the Match honours.
Esterhuizen shines on debut series
Connor Esterhuizen impressed in his debut T20I series for South Africa against New Zealand.
The wicketkeeper-batter scored 200 runs across five matches at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 145.98. He began his international career with an unbeaten 45 and registered his maiden T20I half-century in the fourth match, scoring 57 off 33 balls to earn Player of the Match.
Esterhuizen finished as the leading run-scorer in the series and produced a decisive knock of 75 off 33 balls in the fifth T20I, helping South Africa secure a 3-2 series victory. He also collected his second consecutive Player of the Match award.
With Samson’s dominance in knockout matches, Bumrah’s control in high-pressure overs, and Esterhuizen’s strong start to international cricket, the award showcases a mix of established match-winners and emerging talent in the modern T20 game.
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