West Indies vs Italy: ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026
Match Details:
Match: West Indies vs Italy (WI vs ITA), 37th Match
Date and Time: February 19, 05:30 am GMT / 11:30 am BD / 11:00 am local time
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Preview:
West Indies (WI) is gearing up to take on Italy (ITA) in the 37th match of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026. The exciting clash is set to unfold at Eden Gardens on Thursday, February 19.
Possible Playing XI:
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
Italy: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (c), Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Crishan Kalugamage, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan.
Recent Performance:
West Indies: LWWWW
Italy: LWLWL
Head-To-Head Records:
Stats Match: WI Won: 0 ITA Won: 0 NR: 0 Tie: 0 Overall 0 0 0 0 0
Toss Prediction:
We predict the team winning the toss will opt to bowl first.
Pitch Report:
The pitch at Eden Gardens, Kolkata is known to be batting-friendly, especially in T20 matches. The surface offers true bounce and consistent pace early on, leading to high scores. Boundaries are relatively easy to come by, making first innings totals competitive. As the game progresses, spinners may come into play, while pace bowlers will need to vary their deliveries. Toss-winning teams might prefer to bowl first, particularly in night conditions with dew making bowling challenging. Eden Gardens is a balanced surface where strong batting and smart bowling decide the outcome.
Weather Report:
Expect warm and sunny conditions with little chance of rain. The temperature will be in the upper 20s to near 30°C, making it ideal for cricket.
Expected Scores:
With a balanced pitch and good weather, we anticipate competitive scores in the mid-150s to 180+.
Full Squad:
West Indies: Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
Italy: Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
Don’t miss this thrilling encounter between West Indies and Italy in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Stay tuned for an action-packed match between these two competitive teams.
Key Players to Watch:
For West Indies, Shimron Hetmyer has been in exceptional form with the bat, consistently scoring runs at a brisk pace. His aggressive approach and ability to clear the boundaries make him a dangerous batsman in the T20 format. On the bowling front, Romario Shepherd has been picking up crucial wickets with his pace and movement off the pitch, adding variety to the West Indies’ attack.
Italy will rely on the experience and skill of JJ Smuts, who has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball. His ability to anchor the innings and contribute with handy spells of spin bowling makes him a valuable asset to the team. Grant Stewart, with his all-round abilities, will also be a key player to watch out for, providing balance to the Italian side.
Team Strategies:
West Indies, known for their power-hitting and aggressive approach, is likely to target the boundaries from the outset. Their strategy will revolve around building partnerships and putting up a challenging total on the board. With a strong bowling attack, they will look to contain the Italian batsmen and take early wickets to assert dominance in the match.
Italy, on the other hand, will need to focus on rotating the strike and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Their bowlers will aim to restrict the West Indies’ batters and create pressure by picking up wickets at crucial junctures. A balanced approach with contributions from both batsmen and bowlers will be key to Italy’s success in the match.
Match Prediction:
Considering the recent form of both teams and the strengths of their respective players, West Indies seem to have the upper hand in this encounter. Their power-packed batting lineup and varied bowling options give them a well-rounded team capable of dominating the game. However, Italy, with their fighting spirit and all-round capabilities, cannot be underestimated and might spring a surprise with a spirited performance.
Overall, the match is expected to be an exciting contest between two contrasting styles of play, with West Indies likely to emerge victorious in a closely fought encounter.
Post-Match Analysis:
Following the match, a detailed analysis of the key moments and performances by players from both teams will provide valuable insights into the strengths and areas for improvement. Post-match interviews with captains and players will shed light on the strategies employed and the factors that influenced the outcome of the game.
Stay tuned for a thrilling showdown between West Indies and Italy at the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026, as the two teams battle it out for supremacy on the cricket field.
