Finally, some justice for Sanju Samson. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has awarded the star Indian wicket-keper batter with the prestigious Player of the Month award for March. He has beat Jasprit Bumrah and South Africa’s Connor Esterhuizen after the three were nominated on April 6.
Samson delivered one of the most iconic performances at a T20 World Cup. His story was just so amazing. At one point, he wasn’t even in the starting playing XI. But he ended up being the most important player, sealing India’s third T20 World Cup win with a Player of the Tournament show. Bumrah was outstanding in his own right, being the point of difference in all matches for India with his economical bowling. However, Samson has pipped for something that no one managed to do.
How Sanju Samson led India to triumph
What probably tilted this in Samson’s favour was not just the volume of runs, but when they came. India didn’t turn to him immediately in the tournament. He had to wait. India went ahead with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan as the opening pair. And when his chance came in the Super 8s, it felt like he had decided he wouldn’t give it back.
A brisk 24 against Zimbabwe was just a start. The real change came against the West Indies. Chasing a knockout spot, Samson produced an unbeaten 97, an innings that wasn’t flashy for the sake of it but spotless. He paced it perfectly, picking bowlers, taking risks only when needed, and making sure India stayed ahead of the game.
Then came England. Wankhede. A semi-final that needed something incredible, as chasing is easy there. Samson’s 89 in that 253-run effort was a statement knock.
And just when you thought he had peaked, he repeated it in the final. Another 89, this time against New Zealand, this time with a trophy on the line. Different pressure, same effect. That consistency across knockout games is what stands out. Not many players manage to deliver once, let alone twice, when everything is on the line.
Across those three games in March, he scored 275 runs. Average of 137.50. Strike rate of 199.38. Numbers like that usually come in bilateral series or dead rubbers. Samson produced them when every ball mattered.
Bumrah’s case was strong too. In many ways, he was India’s safety net throughout the tournament. When games drifted, he pulled them back. When batters attacked, he absorbed pressure. But bowlers often operate in phases. Samson, in contrast, dictated entire matches.
Sanju Samson: T20 World Cup 2026 Performance
| Match | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Final T20 vs NZ | 8 Mar | 89 (46) |
| 2nd Semi-Final vs ENG | 5 Mar | 89 (42) |
| Super 8 vs WI | 1 Mar | 97 (50) |
| Super 8 vs ZIM | 26 Feb | 24 (15) |
| Group Stage vs NAM | 12 Feb | 22 (8) |
Overall T20 Stats (Tournament Phase)
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 321 | 80.25 | 199.38 |
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr has won the Women’s Player of the Month for March.
