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The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see Italy and West Indies clash in Group C at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will enter the final round. West Indies have been a team that has entered the Super Eights in Group C with confidence and authority, having won all three of their group matches. They have a strong batting line-up and the ability to win matches in all departments of the game.
Italy have had a mixed campaign but one that will be remembered. They registered a historic ten-wicket victory against Nepal, which was their first T20 World Cup victory and announced their arrival at this level of cricket. However, the defeats against Scotland and England were recorded in competitive matches that showed both their potential and their limitations against established teams.
For West Indies, this match offers an opportunity to consolidate their dominance in Group C and bring maximum momentum to the Super Eights. It is an opportunity for Italy to back up their historic win against Nepal and challenge a truly powerful team with passionate and fearless cricket.
| Format | Matches | WI Won | ITA Won | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Note: West Indies and Italy have not played any Twenty20 International matches against each other before their scheduled matchup in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
| No. | Italy Player | Role | West Indies Player | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wayne Madsen (c) | Batter | Shai Hope (c) | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 2 | Ali Hasan | Bowler | Johnson Charles | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 3 | Marcus Campopiano | Middle-order batter | Roston Chase | Allrounder |
| 4 | Thomas Draca | Bowler | Matthew Forde | Bowler |
| 5 | Jaspreet Singh | Bowler | Shimron Hetmyer | Middle-order batter |
| 6 | Crishan Kalugamage | Bowler | Jason Holder | Bowling allrounder |
| 7 | Harry Manenti | Allrounder | Akeal Hosein | Bowler |
| 8 | Ben Manenti | Bowler | Shamar Joseph | Bowler |
| 9 | Gian-Piero Meade | Wicketkeeper batter | Brandon King | Top-order batter |
| 10 | Anthony Mosca | Opening batter | Gudakesh Motie | Bowler |
| 11 | Justin Mosca | Opening batter | Rovman Powell | Middle-order batter |
| 12 | JJ Smuts | Batting allrounder | Sherfane Rutherford | Middle-order batter |
| 13 | Grant Stewart | Bowling allrounder | Quentin Sampson | Batter |
| 14 | Syed Naqvi | Opening batter | Jayden Seales | Bowler |
| 15 | Zain Ali | Bowler | Romario Shepherd | Bowling allrounder |
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| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Pitch Nature | Batting-friendly surface with true bounce |
| Batting Support | Good for stroke play once set |
| New Ball Behaviour | Seam bowlers can get early movement |
| Spin Factor | Spinners influential in middle overs |
| Match Pattern | High scoring expected in T20s |
| Average T20 Score Range | Around 170–200+ |
| Toss Strategy | Batting first preferred |
| Safe / Defending Score | 180+ competitive |
In Group C, West Indies have won three out of three records, showing remarkable consistency across all departments throughout the tournament. Their explosive batsmen are capable of scoring quickly at any stage of the innings against any bowling attack. They have a diverse bowling attack that has both pace and quality spin options that can trouble a variety of batsmen.
Their concern is that if wickets fall early and the top order does not fire as expected, there is sometimes weakness in the middle order.
Key players to watch out for are Shimron Hetmyer who is in strong form and has been a major run contributor throughout the campaign. Jason Holder is an experienced all-rounder who has made meaningful contributions with both bat and ball in crucial situations. West Indies have shown strength and depth at every stage of the group stage.
In this tournament, Italy created history by defeating Nepal by ten wickets, their first victory in the T20 World Cup. That victory showcased emerging talent and a collective team effort that stunned the cricketing world. Ben Manenti has been an outstanding performer and key batting contributor throughout Italy’s campaign.
Their concern is inconsistency against strong full member nations with more experience and depth. Their bowling attack is less threatening compared to top teams like the West Indies.
Key players to watch include Ben Manenti who has been excelling in every match and is Italy’s most important batsman. Krishan Kalugamage and Harry Manenti provide balance in the batting order and supporting roles in the innings. Italy will look to create an upset and end their first major World Cup campaign on a strong note.
Eden Gardens is a batting-friendly ground with traditionally flat pitches and high scores. The captain who wins the toss may elect to bat first and can build a strong score under the conditions of the day. The pressure from the scoreboard works well at this venue. Both captains will want to get the first use of the pitch before the conditions change.
| Team | Winning Chance (%) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 75% | Group dominance, depth, consistency |
| Italy | 25% | Competitive but less overall strength |
Cricbites Prediction: West Indies will win, thanks to their unbeaten group record and strong team depth, although Italy could surprise if key players perform at their best.
The last Group C match to be played at the historic Eden Gardens will see West Indies and Italy clash in an intriguing encounter. West Indies are expected to bat aggressively in the Powerplay overs. Tactical spin in the middle overs will create interesting battles. Changes in tactical bowling from both captains will shape the development of the match in the forty overs.
West Indies will be aiming to finish their group stage with a perfect record and carry the strongest possible momentum into the Super Eights. Italy will be looking to cement their growing presence on the world cricket stage with a competitive performance that shows that their development is real and continuous.
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This preview and prediction is based on available tournament data, recent performances, team analysis and expected pitch behaviour at Eden Gardens. Cricket results may vary depending on match conditions, toss results and the individual talent of any player on either side.
Shai Hope is the captain of West Indies in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Van Madsen is the captain of Italy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
West Indies will face Italy on 19 February 2026. This match is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM IST.
The WI vs ITA T20 World Cup 2026 match will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India.
This match is the 37th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in the Group C stage.
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