Following their success in the T20 World Cup, India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and opener Sanju Samson were named among the nominees for the ICC Player of the Month award for March on Monday.
South Africa batter Connor Esterhuizen completes the shortlist after an incredible first Twenty20 International series in New Zealand, where he recorded one of his nation’s greatest statistics after five games.
Samson is in the running alongside Bumrah, who was named player of the match in the final, thanks to his explosive form towards the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, which earned him the player of the tournament title.
Although Samson was not a part of the playing XI in the tournament’s early stages, he excelled in the big matches and helped India win the championship.
In the virtual quarterfinal match against the West Indies in Kolkata, he scored 97 not out. He then went on to score 89 in the semi-final against England in Mumbai and also in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
Bumrah took seven wickets at an average of 12.00 and an economy rate of 7.00 throughout the same set of matches.
In the two games against the West Indies and England, he claimed three wickets. In the final match against New Zealand, he achieved game-winning figures of four for fifteen in four overs.
Esterhuizen contributed to a 3-2 series victory in New Zealand by scoring 200 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 145.98.
He achieved 551 rating points in the T20I batting rankings, the second-highest after five games by a South African player, and was named player of the series. After five games, Esterhuizen ranked 39th, the fourth-best position of any South African.
