A commanding all-round show from West Indies saw them overpower Italy by 42 runs in T20 World Cup 2026’s Group C at Eden Gardens. Captain Shai Hope’s 75-run fireworks and sharp bowling sealed a convincing win, earning him Player of the Match.
Opting to bowl first? No, West Indies batted after losing toss, reaching 165/6. Hope’s dominant 46-ball stay, laced with six boundaries and four maximums, was the highlight. Chase contributed 24, while Rutherford and Forde’s quick runs boosted the total. Italy’s response came via Manenti (2/37) and others, but it wasn’t enough.
In reply, Italy’s top order collapsed – first wicket at 12, second at 26. No recovery followed; Smuts (24), Manenti (26), and Fonseca (19) fought alone as Joseph (4/30), Forde (3/19), and Motie (2/24) dominated. All out for 123, Italy’s campaign hit a snag.
With Super-8 spot locked, West Indies used this as fine-tuning. The match exposed Italy’s inexperience against top-tier pace and spin, leaving fans pondering associate teams’ growth in global cricket.