The West Indies continued their dominant march in the T20 World Cup 2026, securing a comprehensive 42-run victory over Italy in the final Group C encounter at Eden Gardens on Thursday. The Caribbean side, already qualified for the next round, flexed their muscle with both bat and ball to remain unbeaten in the first round.
Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, Italy would have hoped for early breakthroughs. Instead, they were treated to a masterclass in anchoring from opener Shai Hope, whose brisk 75 off just 46 balls laid the foundation for a competitive total.
Shai Hope's 75 Anchors Innings After Early Jolt
The West Indies innings had a rocky start when Brandon King fell cheaply for just 4, caught off the bowling of Ali Hasan. However, captain Shai Hope took charge of the proceedings immediately. Unlike the power-hitting often associated with Caribbean cricket, Hope constructed a mature innings, finding gaps and rotating strike with ease.
He found able support in the middle, but it was his dismissal—caught off Crishan Kalugamage—that triggered a minor middle-order collapse. While boundaries dried up momentarily, Sherfane Rutherford's quickfire 24-run cameo in the death overs, alongside Roston Chase's steady presence, propelled the West Indies to 165/6 in 20 overs.
For Italy, Ben Manenti and Crishan Kalugamage were the pick of the bowlers, bagging two wickets each, while Ali Raza and Thomas Draca chipped in with one apiece.
Shamar Joseph's 4-fer Sinks Italian Chase
Chasing 166 for an unlikely upset, Italy needed their top order to fire. Instead, they ran into a red-hot Shamar Joseph. The young pacer was virtually unplayable, swinging the ball at pace and extracting awkward bounce. His Shamar Joseph 4-fer ripped the heart out of the Italian batting lineup, leaving them reeling at the halfway mark.
Joseph found superb support from Matthew Forde at the other end. The pace duo combined to snare 7 wickets in just 8 overs, making it impossible for the Italian batters to settle.
Ben Manenti attempted a late rescue act with a gritty 26 off 21 balls, but with wickets tumbling at regular intervals, the required run rate ballooned. Once the pacers were done, spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein cleaned up the tail, bundling Italy out for just 123 in 18 overs.
What's Next? West Indies' Super 8 Schedule Confirmed
With this win, the West Indies have topped Group C and carry significant momentum into the next phase of the tournament. The T20 World Cup Super 8 schedule promises tougher challenges, but the Caribbean side looks well-rounded.
Here's what West Indies' Super 8 schedule looks like moving ahead in this T20 World Cup:
- Match 1: vs [Opponent TBD] – Venue TBC
- Match 2: vs [Opponent TBD] – Venue TBC
- Match 3: vs [Opponent TBD] – Venue TBC
Analysis: Why West Indies Are Genuine Contenders
This West Indies vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 match report highlights a key strength of the current squad: versatility. On a surface that wasn't a flat batting paradise, they adapted. Shai Hope proved he could be the anchor, while the pace quartet demonstrated they can defend totals just as well as they can chase.
If the Caribbean side can maintain this balance between aggressive batting and disciplined death bowling, they will be a nightmare for any team in the Super 8s. For Italy, the tournament ends with valuable experience against a top-tier nation, having shown glimpses of fight with the ball.
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