India’s Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for March following decisive contributions in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Their performances, concentrated in high-pressure knockout fixtures, place them among the leading contenders for the monthly honor awarded by the International Cricket Council. Samson, drafted into the tournament at a later stage, delivered three consecutive match-defining innings. He remained unbeaten on 97 against West Indies in Kolkata, before scoring 89 in both the semi-final against England in Mumbai and the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. Bumrah’s impact came with the ball, returning seven wickets across the same phase at an average of 12, including 4/15 in the final, a spell that influenced the outcome directly. South Africa’s Connor Esterhuizen completes the men’s shortlist after a consistent run in a 3-2 series win in New Zealand. He scored 200 runs at an average of 50 and a strike-rate of 145.98, earning Player of the Series recognition and moving up to 39th in the ICC T20I batting rankings. Women’s nominees reflect all-round and specialist impact In the women’s category, Amelia Kerr, Beth Mooney and Ayabonga Khaka have been nominated based on multi-format performances through March. Read also: Watch: Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik Lose Cool After Umpire ‘Steals’ Drink in RCB vs CSK Kerr’s returns included 176 runs and 18 wickets in ODIs, highlighted by figures of 7/34 against Zimbabwe. She also contributed 276 runs and six wickets in T20Is as New Zealand secured series wins. Mooney registered an unbeaten 106 against India and followed it with a 79 against West Indies, maintaining consistency across formats. Khaka led South Africa’s bowling unit with eight wickets in a T20I series in New Zealand and added a 6/56 performance in an ODI in Christchurch. Selection process combines expert and public voting Nominees are identified based on performances recorded between the first and last day of the month. The final outcome is determined through a weighted system overseen by the ICC. An independent voting academy contributes 90 per cent of the result, with members including former players, broadcasters and journalists. The remaining 10 per cent is decided through fan voting conducted on the ICC’s official digital platforms. Results are typically announced in the second week of the following month, maintaining a fixed evaluation cycle without deviation.