Two-time champions West Indies wrap up their Group C campaign against tournament debutants Italy at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 19, 2026. The West Indies have already sealed their Super 8 spot with three wins from three games and top the group.
Italy, eliminated after losing to England by 24 runs, plays this final match as an opportunity to show they belong on cricket’s biggest stage.
Captain Harry Manenti’s side punched above their weight throughout the tournament, and they will look to end their debut World Cup with a historic upset against the Caribbean giants.
West Indies vs Italy Match Preview
This Group C finale is a dead rubber for both teams in terms of qualification. West Indies head to the Super 8s with six points, while Italy exits the group stage with one win. Italy plays its last group game here after previous matches against Scotland, Nepal, and England. West Indies will next play Zimbabwe in the Super 8 stage.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Italy vs West Indies, T20 World Cup 37th Match |
| Date | 19 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST / 5:30 AM GMT |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Context | Group C final game, dead rubber |
Pitch Report
Eden Gardens offers a surface that suits batters, though it gives pace bowlers enough help early on. The pitch has good bounce and carries well to the bat, making stroke play easier once batters settle in. Seamers can extract movement in the opening overs, but the pitch flattens out quickly as the game progresses.
Spinners tend to find more grip here than at some other Indian venues, particularly from the second half of the innings. The fast outfield means even middling hits can find the boundary. Based on recent T20Is at this venue during the 2026 World Cup, teams have put up scores well above 170. When Scotland scored 207 against Italy in this tournament, it showed how batters can dominate when they take the powerplay positively.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Batting-friendly with good bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 165-180 in T20Is |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace gets early movement, spin is effective from the middle overs |
| Toss Factor | Chasing preferred due to true bounce under lights |
| Boundary Size | Moderate (68-72 meters) |
Weather Report
Kolkata in mid-February typically experiences warm, mostly dry conditions. The match kicks off in the morning, with temperatures expected to be between 22°C and 29°C during play. Skies will remain clear with virtually no chance of rain. Humidity sits around 54-58%, and the absence of significant dew in the morning session makes this an ideal time for a day game.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-29°C during the match |
| Sky | Clear and sunny |
| Rain Chance | Very low |
| Humidity | 54-58% |
| Overall | Good conditions for cricket |
Toss Prediction
At Eden Gardens in recent T20Is, teams have generally done better chasing. The pitch plays well under natural light and remains true throughout. Since this is a morning start, dew is unlikely to be a factor, making first-innings totals easier to defend than in evening games. However, both teams may still prefer to bat second for the extra time to assess the pitch. Expect the toss winner to opt to field.
Injury Updates
West Indies: No Injury Concern.
Italy: No Injury Concern.
Dream11 Team For Italy vs West Indies
Italy vs West Indies Head-to-Head Records in T20Is
West Indies and Italy have never met in international T20 cricket before this tournament. This fixture at Eden Gardens will be the first-ever T20I between the two sides, making it a fresh contest with no prior head-to-head data to draw from.
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Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Hope | WI | Opener/Captain | Returned to form with 61* against Nepal, five fours and three sixes |
| Sherfane Rutherford | WI | Batter | Unbeaten 76 off 42 with seven sixes against England, a dangerous finisher |
| Gudakesh Motie | WI | Bowler | Spun out England with three wickets, controls the middle overs well |
| Justin Mosca | ITA | Opener | Consistent across all matches this tournament, 220 runs at a strike rate of 161+ |
| Anthony Mosca | ITA | Opener | Unbeaten 62 off 32 against Nepal, six sixes and three fours |
| Ben Manenti | ITA | All-rounder | Explosive 60 off 25 against England, effective with the ball in key moments |
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