The 37th match of the T20 World Cup 2025/26 sees Italy facing the West Indies in a crucial Group C encounter. Both teams aim to consolidate their positions before the Super Eight stage begins. West Indies appear to be in fine form, backed by consistent performances from key players.
West Indies’ batting lineup boasts three half-centurions across their three matches: Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, and Shimron Hetmyer. Their bowling has also shown promise, with seamers Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder taking five and four wickets respectively. This balance could be pivotal against Italy’s challenge. West Indies also hope their spin bowlers will step up as they gear to face Zimbabwe, South Africa, and India next.
Italy enters this match with the mindset of making a memorable impact on a global stage. Despite missing injured captain Wayne Madsen, the team has fostered a resilient spirit under the stand-in leadership of Harry Manenti. Italy will seek to confront the West Indies directly, relying on their strengths to upset the odds against a favored opponent.
Key Players to Watch
Grant Stewart has been a standout for Italy, demonstrating his skill with a notable 45-run innings against England and showing versatility as an allrounder. Born in Australia and playing county cricket for Kent, Stewart has committed to the Italian cause, even taking language lessons to better integrate with the squad. His ability to counter high-caliber bowling like that from Adil Rashid will be crucial.
West Indies may consider handing Quentin Sampson a chance to showcase his power-hitting capabilities. Although his performances have been mixed, his captain Shai Hope praised him as “among the cleanest hitters.” The fixture against Italy offers a chance for Sampson to solidify his place and provide flexibility to the West Indies batting order ahead of bigger tests.
Team Lineups and Conditions
Italy’s probable eleven includes Justin Mosca and Anthony Mosca opening, with Harry Manenti at number four leading the team in Madsen’s absence. Spin bowling options like Ben Manenti and Jaspreet Singh will be tested on Kolkata’s pitch. The West Indies’ squad is likely to remain unchanged, maintaining the consistency that brought recent wins. Brandon King and Shai Hope will open, supported by Hetmyer and Rutherford in the middle order.
The match will start at 11am local time at Eden Gardens, where initial conditions favor seam bowlers due to warm, muggy weather. As the day progresses, the pitch should ease for the batsmen and later become conducive to spin as the sun softens the surface through the afternoon. This evolving pitch behavior will test both teams’ tactical adaptability.
Summary of Probable Lineups
| Italy (Probable) | West Indies (Probable) |
|---|---|
| 1. Justin Mosca | 1. Brandon King |
| 2. Anthony Mosca | 2. Shai Hope (capt, wk) |
| 3. JJ Smuts | 3. Shimron Hetmyer |
| 4. Harry Manenti (capt) | 4. Roston Chase |
| 5. Ben Manenti | 5. Sherfane Rutherford |
| 6. Grant Stewart | 6. Rovman Powell / Quentin Sampson |
| 7. Marcus Campopiano | 7. Jason Holder |
| 8. Gian-Piero Meade (wk) | 8. Matthew Forde |
| 9. Jaspreet Singh | 9. Gudakesh Motie |
| 10. Crishan Kalugamage | 10. Akeal Hosein |
| 11. Ali Hasan | 11. Shamar Joseph |
West Indies aim to finish Group C unbeaten, while Italy seeks to leave a lasting mark in their T20 World Cup campaign. Both sides recognize the importance of this match on their progression prospects and will strive to balance aggression with caution in pursuit of victory.
Read more at: www.espncricinfo.com
