The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group C action remains at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata for a fascinating encounter between England and tournament debutants Italy. England, the two-time champions, enter this match following a vital five-wicket victory over Scotland that kept their Super 8 hopes alive. Italy, meanwhile, is riding the highest wave in their cricketing history after securing a stunning 10-wicket victory over Nepal, their first-ever win in a World Cup. While on paper this looks like a mismatch, the ‘Azzurri’ have shown they have the spirit to challenge the established order.
ENG vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details
- Date and Time: February 16 (Monday); 3:00 pm IST / 9:30 am GMT
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
ENG vs ITA, Head-to-Head Record
Matches played: 0 (This is their first international meeting).
Eden Gardens Pitch Report
Eden Gardens has lived up to its reputation as a high-scoring venue this tournament, but it has offered a balanced battle. The surface generally provides good pace and carry for the fast bowlers early on, but the abrasive nature of the pitch means spinners like Adil Rashid and Italy’s Crishan Kalugamage will find purchase in the middle overs. The average score at this venue in the 2026 World Cup has been around 170. Since this is an afternoon game, the dew factor will be negligible, making the pitch likely to slow down slightly in the second innings. The captain winning the toss will probably elect to bat first to set a tall target on a fresh surface.
Team dynamics and key players
England: Harry Brook’s side has been somewhat inconsistent but showed grit in their chase against Scotland. Tom Banton (63* vs Scotland) has been the anchor, while Phil Salt and Jos Buttler remain the most explosive opening pair in the group. Their bowling is their biggest asset; Jofra Archer has regained his express pace, and Adil Rashid remains a master of subcontinental conditions. England needs a dominant win here to boost their Net Run Rate and secure a top-two spot in Group C.
Italy: The Italian squad is a mix of professional experience and inspired local talent—famously highlighted by Crishan Kalugamage, a pizza chef by trade who took 3/18 to dismantle Nepal. Captain Harry Manenti leads a resilient side bolstered by the experience of JJ Smuts and Grant Stewart. After their clinical 10-wicket chase, Italy will look to their openers Justin Mosca and Anthony Mosca to brave the initial burst from the English pacers. Their goal will be to take the game deep and capitalize on any nerves in the England camp.
Squads
England: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
Italy: Wayne Madsen (captain), 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
ENG vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- England wins the toss and bats first
- England powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
- England total score: 195-205
Case 2:
- Italy wins the toss and bats first
- Italy powerplay score: 35-45 (6 overs)
- Italy total score: 130-140
Match result: England to win the contest.
