Published: April 14, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Indian wicketkeeper-bat Sanju Samson has been named the ICC Player of the Month for his match-winning performances at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 while New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr’s consistent performances in both ODIs and T20Is in March helped clinch her third women’s award.
Samson won the award ahead of teammate Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa batter Connor Esterhuizen while Kerr pipped Australia batter Beth Mooney and South Africa seamer Ayabonga Khaka for the award.
Samson, Bumrah, Kerr & Mooney shortlisted for ICC Player of the Month for March
Samson winning the monthly honour sees a player from a different country claim the award over the past five months. The streak includes Simon Harmer (South Africa), Mitchell Starc (Australia), Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand), and Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan).
Not a regular part of the playing XI in the initial stages of the tournament, Sanju was eventually called up for India’s must-win Super 8 fixtures. After starting off with 24 against Zimbabwe on 26 February, Samson picked form and didn’t look back.
Sanju made his mark when it was needed most
Samson was named the Player of the Tournament at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as he made his mark when it mattered most, smashing match-winning knocks in the virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies in Kolkata as well as the semifinal and final.
Samson followed up his unbeaten 97 against the West Indies with scores of 89 apiece against England in the semifinal in Mumbai and against New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad as India became the first team to retain the title as well as the first to lift the trophy on home soil.
Samson completes a remarkable turnaround with T20 WC Player of the Tournament award
“Winning the ICC Player of the Month award is an incredible feeling, especially as it comes during what has been the most unforgettable phase of my cricketing journey. Playing a part in India’s triumph at the Men’s T20 World Cup was truly a dream realised, and it took some time for the magnitude of that moment to fully sink in,” said Sanju Samson.
“This is an exciting era for Indian cricket, with immense talent across the board. I feel grateful for the opportunities I’ve received, and for the trust and support from my team-mates and coaching staff that have allowed me to perform at my best,” he added.
Amelia Kerr displayed exceptional form with both bat and ball, aggregating 176 runs at a strike-rate of 78.57 in four ODIs during the period while also grabbing 18 wickets with her leg-spin bowling at an economy rate of 3.77.
New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe 3-0 in their ODI series during this period and Amelia was duly named the Player of the Series. The highlight for her was a haul of seven for 34 in the second match.
In T20Is, she aggregated 276 runs at a strike-rate of 158.62 and took six wickets to be named the Player of the Series in her team’s 4-1 win over South Africa.
Kerr had earlier won the accolade in February 2022 and October 2024. “It’s been a special month for the White Ferns,” Kerr said.
“It’s always nice to be able to contribute to wins for your country but seeing the way the whole team has played, the selflessness and the belief is what has been the highlight for me this past month.”
Kerr’s contributions, both as a captain and as an all-rounder, will prove pivotal in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England from June 12 as New Zealand gear up to defend the title.
Both players were crowned following a vote conducted among global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising former international players and media representatives.
Fans can continue to vote every month for their favourite cricketers across all formats of international cricket in the ICC Player of the Month awards by registering at www.icc-cricket.com/awards.
