India’s Sanju Samson and New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr have been named the ICC Men’s and Women’s Players of the Month for March, respectively, following a string of match-winning performances on the global stage.
Samson’s rise to the top honour caps off a remarkable turnaround during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where he emerged as India’s unlikely hero in the knockout stages. Initially on the sidelines, the wicketkeeper-batter seized his opportunity from the Super Eights clash and never looked back.
He delivered a series of defining knocks under pressure, an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies, followed by back-to-back scores of 89 in the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand. His consistency and composure played a pivotal role in India successfully defending their title, earning him the Player of the Tournament award as well.
Reflecting on the recognition, Samson said the award marked one of the most memorable phases of his career, highlighting the significance of contributing to a World Cup-winning campaign.
He edged out stiff competition from teammate Jasprit Bumrah, who starred with the ball in the final, and South Africa’s Connor Esterhuizen.
Meanwhile, Kerr continued her dominance in the women’s game with a sensational all-round display across formats. The 23-year-old was instrumental in New Zealand’s ODI and T20I series wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Kerr amassed 176 runs and claimed 18 wickets in ODIs, including a stunning 7/34 performance, while also scoring 276 runs and picking up six wickets in T20Is. Her consistency extended to an impressive streak of 11 consecutive 30-plus scores in the shortest format.
Currently the top-ranked T20I all-rounder, Kerr’s impact earned her multiple Player of the Series honours during the month.
In her response, Kerr credited team unity and belief as key factors behind the White Ferns’ success, emphasising the collective effort over individual milestones.
She finished ahead of Australia’s Beth Mooney and South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka to secure the award.