Italy will make its historic T20 World Cup debut against Scotland at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 9, 2026. This Group C clash promises an exciting contest between two European rivals who share a 1-1 head-to-head record in T20Is.
Wayne Madsen leads a confident Italian squad featuring former South Africa international JJ Smuts and the talented Manenti brothers. Scotland, led by Richie Berrington, will look to bounce back after their 35-run loss to West Indies in their tournament opener.
Both teams know each other well from the European Qualifier, where Italy stunned Scotland to secure their World Cup berth.
Italy vs Scotland Match Preview
This Group C encounter marks Italy’s maiden appearance in any ICC World Cup. They head into this match with confidence after winning both their warm-up games against Canada and the UAE. Scotland will play their second match of the tournament after losing to the West Indies. Italy will next face Nepal on February 12 in Mumbai, while Scotland takes on England on February 14 in Kolkata.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Italy vs Scotland, T20 World Cup 7th Match |
| Date | 09 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST / 5:30 AM GMT |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Context | Italy’s World Cup debut, Group C match |
Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens pitch offers a balanced surface for both batters and bowlers. The track is prepared using black cotton soil that starts well for batting but slows down as the match goes on. Fast bowlers can find some early help with the new ball, getting seam movement and extra bounce. This means openers need to be watchful in the first few overs.
As the ball ages, batting becomes easier. The pitch has even pace and bounce, allowing batters to play their shots freely. The small boundaries at Eden Gardens make it easier to score runs. Spinners may get some turn as the match progresses. Accuracy will be key for all bowlers on this surface.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced, slows down later |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 155-165 in T20Is |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace gets early movement, spin helps later |
| Toss Factor | Teams prefer bowling first in day games |
| Boundary Size | Small boundaries, run-friendly |
Weather Report
Kolkata in February offers ideal conditions for cricket. The weather on match day will be warm with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 28°C. During the morning match, temperatures will settle around 22-26°C. Expect clear skies with very little chance of rain. Humidity levels will stay moderate, around 50-55%. The morning start time means there will be good sunshine throughout the game.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 15-28°C (22-26°C during match) |
| Sky | Clear, sunny |
| Rain Chance | Negligible |
| Humidity | 50-55% |
| Overall | Perfect conditions for cricket |
Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss at Eden Gardens is likely to choose to bowl first. This is a morning game starting at 11:00 AM, so there will be some early assistance for seamers. The pitch tends to slow down in the afternoon, making batting slightly harder in the second innings. However, setting a target also has its advantages as the pitch plays true early on. The toss-winning captain will likely prefer bowling first to make use of the fresh conditions.
Injury Updates
Italy: The World Cup debutants arrive in fine form after winning both their warm-up matches. Against Canada, they held their nerves for a 10-run win. Against the UAE, they dominated with a massive 112-run victory. Anthony Mosca blazed 56 off 22 balls in the UAE game, showing his attacking intent. JJ Smuts brings valuable experience from his time in South Africa. Ben Manenti had a strong Big Bash League season with Sydney Sixers, finishing with an economy rate under six. Harry Manenti remains their key all-rounder after his five-wicket haul against Scotland in the Europe Qualifier. Captain Wayne Madsen provides stability at 42, with extensive experience in English county cricket.
Scotland: The Scots suffered a 35-run loss to the West Indies in their tournament opener. Richie Berrington top-scored with 42, while Tom Bruce added 35 in a fighting partnership. However, Romario Shepherd’s hat-trick and five-wicket haul broke their chase. George Munsey fell early to a stunning catch by Hetmyer. Scotland had little time to prepare after being named Bangladesh’s replacement just two weeks before the tournament. Their bowling was disciplined early on, but they leaked runs in the middle overs. Bradley Currie was their best bowler with 2/23. Michael Leask, Mark Watt, and Safyaan Sharif provide their spin options.
Dream11 Team For Italy vs Scotland
Italy vs Scotland Head-to-Head Records In T20Is
Italy and Scotland have met twice in T20I cricket. The head-to-head record stands level at 1-1. Scotland won big in their first meeting in 2023, crushing Italy by 155 runs. However, Italy got revenge in the 2025 Europe Qualifier final, winning by 12 runs to book their World Cup spot. Harry Manenti’s five-wicket haul was the difference maker in that game.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total T20I Matches | 2 |
| Italy Wins | 1 |
| Scotland Wins | 1 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Europe Qualifier 2025 | Italy won by 12 runs |
| 2023 Meeting | Scotland won by 155 runs |
Last Two T20I Meetings
- Italy won by 12 runs – 09 Jul 2025 (T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier Final)
- Scotland won by 155 runs – 24 Jul 2023
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Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| JJ Smuts | ITA | All-rounder | Former South Africa international brings firepower and experience |
| Harry Manenti | ITA | All-rounder | Took 5 wickets vs Scotland in Europe Qualifier, 229 runs in 10 matches |
| Anthony Mosca | ITA | Opener | Scored 56 off 22 vs UAE, 477 runs in 18 T20 matches |
| George Munsey | SCOT | Opener | Dangerous in powerplay, excellent against spin |
| Richie Berrington | SCOT | Batter | Captain, 2377 runs in 103 T20Is, scored 42 vs West Indies |
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