ICC Player of the Month Nominees Announced: Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah Lead March 2026 Shortlist

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the nominees for the ICC Player of the Month awards for March 2026, with standout performers from the recent international fixtures earning recognition across both men's and women's categories.

India's Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah headline the men's shortlist alongside South Africa's emerging star Connor Esterhuizen, while New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr, Australia batter Beth Mooney, and South Africa seamer Ayabonga Khaka have been nominated for the women's honour.

Samson, Bumrah Shine in India's Title Run

Sanju Samson's remarkable performances during the closing stages of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup have placed him firmly among the favourites for the men's award.

Despite missing early matches in the tournament, Samson delivered

when it mattered most. He scored an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in a crucial knockout-style fixture and followed it up with 89-run knocks in both the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand, playing a key role in India's successful title defence.

Jasprit Bumrah also made a significant impact during the same period. The Indian pacer picked up seven wickets at an average of 12.00 and maintained an economy rate of 7.00 across the decisive matches.

His standout performance came in the final, where he produced match-winning figures of 4 for 15, earning the Player of the Match award and helping India secure the championship.

Esterhuizen Impresses With Breakthrough Series

Completing the men's shortlist is South Africa batter Connor Esterhuizen, who enjoyed an impressive start to his international career.

Esterhuizen scored 200 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 145.98 in a five-match T20I series in New Zealand. His performances helped South Africa clinch a 3-2 series victory, earning him the Player of the Series award.

His strong debut run also propelled him to 39th position in the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings, marking one of the best starts by a South African batter after just five matches.

Kerr Leads Women's Shortlist With All-Round Brilliance

New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr leads the women's nominees following an outstanding all-round performance across formats.

In four ODIs, Kerr scored 176 runs while also taking 18 wickets, including a remarkable 7 for 34 performance that guided New Zealand to a 3-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe.

She continued her dominance in T20Is, scoring 276 runs at a strike rate of 158.62 and taking six wickets during New Zealand's 4-1 T20I series victory over South Africa.

Mooney and Khaka Deliver Match-Winning Performances

Australia batter Beth Mooney also earned her nomination following a series of impactful knocks across formats.

Mooney scored 171 runs in two ODIs, including an unbeaten 106 against India and 65 against West Indies. In T20Is, she added 107 runs, highlighted by a match-winning 79 off 55 balls against West Indies.

South Africa seamer Ayabonga Khaka rounds off the women's shortlist after leading the wicket charts during South Africa's T20I series in New Zealand.

Khaka claimed eight wickets in four T20Is and followed it up with an impressive 6 for 56 in the first ODI in Christchurch, reinforcing her reputation as a dependable strike bowler.

How the ICC Player of the Month Winners Are Decided

The winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards will be determined through a combined voting process involving an independent ICC Voting Academy and cricket fans worldwide.

The ICC Voting Academy - comprising former players, broadcasters, journalists, and ICC Hall of Fame members - contributes 90 percent of the vote, while registered fans account for the remaining 10 percent through online voting.

Winners are typically announced during the second week of the following month on ICC's official digital platforms.

With strong performances across formats and high-pressure matches, the March nominees represent some of the most influential players during a busy international cricket calendar.