Shreyas Iyer beats Jacob Duffy with 15 wickets in March to win ICC Player of the Month, says 'This recognition is...'

India's middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer was named the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for March 25. Iyer beat New Zealand's Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra to win the award.

Iyer was India's highest run-scorer with 243 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In the month of March, he scored 79 runs against New Zealand in group stage match. In the semifinal against Australia, he contributed with a 45-run knock. He played a crucial hand in the final against New Zealand with 48 runs. He has carried forward his form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 leading Punjab Kings (PBKS) from the front with three half-centuries.

"I’m truly honored to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March. This recognition is incredibly special, especially in a month where we lifted the ICC Champions Trophy — a moment I will cherish forever," Iyer said on winning the accolade.

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"Being able to contribute to India’s success on such a big stage is something every cricketer dreams of. I’m grateful to my teammates, coaches, and support staff for their unwavering support and belief.

"A heartfelt thank you to the fans as well — your energy and encouragement keep us going every step of the way."

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Ravindra scores big in semifinal

Ravindra was another batter among the three contenders for the award. He registered a single-digit score in the group stage match against India. In the final, he contributed with a 37-run cameo. His best came against South Africa in the semifinal where he scored 108 runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. This was the same venue where he got hit on the head while attempting a catch which resulted in concussion.

Duffy, the wicket-taking machine

Duffy did not play any of the Champions Trophy 2025 matches. He took 13 wickets in the five-T20I series at home against New Zealand, including two four-wicket hauls. In the only ODI he played in March, Duffy took two wickets. He ended up taking five more wickets in the ODI series.