West Indies and Italy are ready to face each other in the 37th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thrusday, February 19. This match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM IST. Stay tuned with our WI vs ITA prediction, team preview, pitch report, player stats and winner prediction ahead of this exciting contest.
West Indies have had a strong run in the tournament so far and have looked like one of the best teams in Group C. They have won all three of their matches and are sitting at the top of the points table. In their last game, they secured their Super 8 spot with a dominant nine-wicket win over Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium. With confidence high, West Indies will aim to finish the group stage unbeaten.
On the other hand, Italy, playing their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, have won one of their three matches and are placed fourth in the group. They will look to end their campaign with a solid performance against West Indies.
Head-to-Head Record: Till now, a total of 0 T20 matches have been played between these two sides. With this being their first-ever T20 meeting, both teams will be keen to start strong and understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
West Indies Preview
West Indies are at the top of Group C in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with 3 wins from 3 matches and a net run rate of 1.82. In their last match, they chased 134 against Nepal with 9 wickets in hand, showing complete control. With three straight wins, they will look to finish the group stage unbeaten and carry strong form into the Super 8 stage.
In batting, Shai Hope scored an unbeaten 61 off 44 balls against Nepal. Shimron Hetmyer is their top run-scorer in the tournament with 133 runs, including 46* off 32 balls in the last match. Brandon King has provided steady starts, while Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford add power in the middle and lower order. The batting unit has delivered consistently in all three matches.
Jason Holder is the leading wicket-taker for West Indies with 7 wickets in the tournament so far. Romario Shepherd and Matthew Forde have provided key breakthroughs, while Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie have controlled the middle overs with spin. With contributions from both pace and spin, West Indies have shown balance in their bowling attack.
Italy Preview
Italy are playing their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. They qualified through the Europe Qualifier and have 1 win and 2 losses in the group stage. In their last match against England, they chased hard but fell short. This match is their final group game.
In batting, Benjamin Manenti scored 60 off 25 balls against England. Justin Mosca made 43 off 34, and Grant Stewart added 45 off 23. Captain Wayne Madsen brings experience, while JJ Smuts and Gian Piero Meade strengthen the middle order. The team has shown it can score quickly.
In bowling, JJ Smuts provides spin options. Benjamin and Harry Manenti bowl in the middle overs. Jaspreet Singh and Grant Stewart lead the pace attack and will target early wickets. Italy need tight bowling in the powerplay to stay competitive.
WI vs ITA Probable Playing XI
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope(C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.
Italy: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti(C), Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade(WK), Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan.
WI vs ITA Pitch Report
The pitch at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is batting-friendly with good bounce and pace, allowing batters to play shots freely, especially in the early overs. The quick outfield supports high scores. Pacers get limited help and must rely on accuracy, while spinners become useful as the game progresses. Teams winning the toss often prefer to bowl first and chase under lights.
The weather on Thursday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata is expected to be partly sunny, around 31°C, with 10% chance of rain, 28% humidity, and winds near 8 km/h.
Venue T20I Statistics
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 17 |
| Matches won batting first | 8 |
| Matches won bowling first | 9 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 160 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 140 |
| Highest total recorded | 207/4 (20 Ovs) – SCO vs ITA |
| Lowest total recorded | 70/10 (15.4 Ovs) – BAN vs NZ |
| Highest score chased | 162/4 (18.5 Ovs) – IND vs WI |
| Lowest score defended | 186/5 (20 Ovs) – IND vs WI |
WI vs ITA Winner Prediction
West Indies come into this match as strong favorites. They have won all their matches so far and look confident in both batting and bowling. The team is playing with good rhythm, and their recent big win has boosted their morale. With experienced players and a balanced squad, West Indies look ready to continue their winning run.
On the other hand, Italy have shown they can compete when their batting performs well. However, facing an in-form West Indies side will be a tough task. They will need a very strong all-round performance to cause an upset, but on current form, West Indies look more likely to win.
Our Prediction: West Indies
T20 World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Details
| Region | Where to Watch |
|---|---|
| India | Star Sports, Jio Hotstar |
| Sri Lanka | ThePapare, Dialog Play |
| Pakistan | Myco, Tamasha, Tapmad, ARY Zapp |
| Afghanistan | AF Sports |
| Bangladesh | TSM (via Rabbithole) |
| North America | Willow |
| Middle East & North Africa | E& (selected matches), ICC.tv |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports, ICC.tv |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport, ICC.tv |
| New Zealand | Sky TV NZ , ICC.tv |
| Australia, Europe, Caribbean, SE Asia, Pacific Islands, South America | ICC.tv |
Code: TOPBK
