Sanju Samson has been named the ICC Player of the Month following his match-winning heroics at the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20. The Indian batsman beat teammate and ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah among the contenders for the award following his outstanding performances in the tournament.
Samson’s award comes on the back of India’s title-winning campaign. After receiving the award, he reflected on what was a defining phase of his career.
“Winning the ICC Player of the Month award is an incredible feeling, especially as it comes during the most memorable phase of my cricketing journey. To play a role in India’s triumph at the Men’s World T20 was truly a dream come true,” said Samson.
“It took some time for the magnitude of the moment to fully sink in. This is an exciting era for Indian cricket with immense talent across all fields. I feel grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the trust and support from my teammates and coaching staff,” he added.
Alongside Samson, New Zealand all-rounder Melie Kerr won the women’s award for consistent performances across formats.
HOW GOOD WAS SAMSON AT THE T20 WORLD CUP?
Samson’s path to the award was not straightforward, he started the tournament on the bench before forcing his way into the XI and playing when it mattered most.
He announced himself with an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a virtual knockout and guided India through a tricky chase. This was followed by back-to-back scores of 89 in the semi-final against England and the final against New Zealand, where he again set the platform in high-pressure situations.
These performances not only secured India the title but also earned Samson the player of the tournament award, underscoring his importance to the side.
HOW SAMSON FOUND FORM IN IPL 2026
The transition from international success to the IPL was not entirely smooth.
After moving from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings, Samson struggled for rhythm in the first matches of IPL 2026, failing to convert starts into significant scores.
A historic moment by Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson brings up his maiden century of this IPL in absolute style!
First 89 runs off just 42 balls
Another 13 runs in 10 balls
However, the slowdown in the last 10 balls hurt CSK a lot. pic.twitter.com/tIJbYATMlC— Mufanlal Wohra (@ramgaming242) April 11, 2026
However, he soon found his touch again. Samson became the first centurion of the season when he scored a match-winning set against Delhi Capitals to lead CSK to their first win after a tough start.
It was another reminder that when it comes to big moments, Samson can do something.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
14 Apr 2026 14:35 IST
