India opener Sanju Samson was named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March on Tuesday, concluding an incredible run in which he was instrumental in the team’s successful T20 World Cup campaign.
Although Samson was not selected in the playing XI tournament’s early stages, he was a star player in the final games and helped India win the championship.
In the last five months, players from various nations have won the award, including South Africa’s Simon Harmer, Australia’s Mitchell Starc, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, and Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan. Samson’s latest honor also continues a remarkable run.
“Winning the ICC Player of the Month award is an incredible feeling, especially as it comes during what has been the most unforgettable phase of my cricketing journey. Playing a part in India’s triumph at the Men’s T20 World Cup was truly a dream realised, and it took some time for the magnitude of that moment to fully sink in,” PTI quoted Samson as saying.
“This is an exciting era for Indian cricket, with immense talent across the board. I feel grateful for the opportunities I’ve received, and for the trust and support from my team-mates and coaching staff that have allowed me to perform at my best.”
Samson was eventually picked up for India’s crucial Super 8 matches despite not being a consistent member of the starting lineup in the early stages of the competition. He picked his form and didn’t look back after opening with 24 against Zimbabwe.
Despite missing out on a century by just three runs against the West Indies, the opener’s aggressive 97 not out secured India’s semifinal berth.
India reached 253/7 against England at the Wankhede thanks to Samson’s scorching 89. The English were unable to reach the target, missing out by 7 runs on March 5.
During India’s successful title defence in Ahmedabad, an equally incredible 89 was churned out by Samson, earning a 96-run victory.
Samson scored 275 runs at an incredible average of 137.50 and a remarkable strike rate of 199.27 in the three pivotal Twenty20 Internationals he participated in in March.
Samson has won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for the first time.
Melie Kerr, the captain of New Zealand, won the women’s title for the third time with a stellar series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.
When Kerr took over the white-ball teams from Sophie Devine, she appeared to be at her best with the bat and the ball. She took 16 wickets in just three games during the Zimbabwe ODI series, including her career-high 7/34.
She also had an impact with the bat, ranking third in the ODIs with 140 runs scored in three games at an average of 46.67 throughout the counting month.
