Mumbai: India’s Sanju Samson and New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr have been named the ICC Men’s and Women’s Players of the Month for March 2026, following a series of standout performances on the international stage.
Samson earned the men’s award after playing a decisive role in India’s triumphant campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Indian opener delivered when it mattered most, producing crucial knocks in the knockout stages. His unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in Kolkata set the tone, followed by back-to-back scores of 89 in the semifinal against England in Mumbai and the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
His consistency and composure under pressure not only guided India to a historic title defence but also saw them lift the trophy on home soil for the first time.
The 29-year-old edged past teammate Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa’s Connor Esterhuizen in the voting process, which included global fan participation and a panel of experts. Reflecting on the recognition, Samson described the award as a special moment in what he called one of the most memorable phases of his career, crediting his teammates and support staff for their backing.
In the women’s category, Amelia Kerr continued her remarkable rise, securing the award for the third time in her career. The New Zealand all-rounder delivered exceptional performances across formats, making significant contributions with both bat and ball.
Kerr played a crucial role in her team’s clean sweep in the ODI series against Zimbabwe, taking an impressive haul of wickets, including a career-best 7 for 34. She also contributed valuable runs, underlining her all-round capabilities.
Her form carried into the T20I series against South Africa, where she amassed 276 runs at an impressive strike rate while also chipping in with crucial wickets. Her efforts helped New Zealand clinch the series 4-1, with Kerr playing a central role throughout.
She finished ahead of Australia’s Beth Mooney and South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka in the voting. Speaking after receiving the award, Kerr highlighted the team’s collective effort, noting that the squad’s unity and belief were the most satisfying aspects of their recent success.
The ICC Player of the Month awards are determined through a combination of fan votes and selections from a panel comprising former international players and media representatives.
