The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata braces for a historic European collision as England and Italy meet for the very first time in international cricket. While the fixture evokes famous football rivalries, this is uncharted territory in the gentleman’s game. England arrived with purpose after a surprise defeat to the West Indies, they steadied the ship with a composed five-wicket victory over Scotland, leaving them second in Group C and one win away from confirming Super 8 qualification. Italy, meanwhile, are living the dream. The debutants are fresh from their first-ever T20 World Cup victory; a stunning 10-wicket demolition of Nepal that sent shockwaves through the tournament. The Mosca brothers announced themselves on the global stage with an unbroken 124-run stand. Now they face the ultimate test: a full-member powerhouse playing for survival. Form, pedigree, and resources heavily favor England, but Italy carry the intoxicating belief of a team with nothing to lose.
England vs Italy Win Probability
RCBW vs DCW Batting Tips
ENG vs ITA, Group C T20 World Cup 2026 29th Match Details
| Match | ICC T20 World Cup 2026, 29th Match, Group C |
| Date | Monday, February 16, 2026 |
| Time | 03:00 PM (IST) |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Live Streaming (TV) | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming (Mobile) | JioHotstar |
ENG vs ITA Team Form – Who Will Win Today’s Match?
England
England’s form is solid (W, L, W, W, W), with two wins in three tournament matches. Their key strength is batting depth. Jacob Bethell is England’s leading scorer (120 runs in 3 matches), with Harry Brook (74) and Sam Curran (73) providing consistent support. Tom Banton’s match-winning 63* against Scotland showcased the lineup’s resilience. The bowling is spin-led and potent Adil Rashid (5 wickets, 3 vs Scotland) and Liam Dawson (4 wickets) form a formidable duo. The psychological edge is clear: one win secures Super 8 progression.
Italy
Italy’s form is remarkable for a debutant side (W, L, W, W, L), highlighted by a historic 10-wicket victory over Nepal. Their key strength is the Mosca brothers. Anthony Mosca smashed an unbeaten 62 off 32 (strike rate 193.75), while Justin Mosca contributed a steady 60* off 44. The bowling attack is spin-dominant, with Crishan Kalugamage (3/18) and Ben Manenti (2/9) dismantling Nepal. Their realistic objective is to compete fearlessly and gain invaluable experience. The key challenge is the monumental step up in class.
ENG vs ITA Probable Playing XI
England Probable XI-
Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
Italy Probable XI-
Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (C), Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (WK), Crishan Kalugamage, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan.
ENG vs ITA Head-to-Head Record
| Total Match Played | 00 |
| AUS Won | 00 |
| ZIM Won | 00 |
| Draw/No Result | 00 |
ENG vs ITA Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens pitch offers a balanced T20 surface with good pace and bounce early on. The ball comes onto the bat nicely, allowing aggressive stroke-play, and the outfield is ultra-fast. As the innings progresses, the pitch tends to slow, offering grip and turn for spinners in the middle overs. The average first-innings score in T20Is is 158. Scotland posted the tournament-high 207 here. Managing the middle overs against spin will be crucial.
ENG vs ITA Weather Report
Conditions will be ideal for cricket: bright, sunny, with temperatures around 28°C and low humidity. There is a 0% chance of rain, and light winds (11 kmph) will provide pleasant playing conditions. No interruptions are expected.
ENG vs ITA Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first. While Eden Gardens has seen two wins for batting first in three tournament matches, England’s successful chase against Scotland may influence their preference. Both captains will be comfortable chasing on this surface.
ENG vs ITA Match Prediction
This is a contest between a team hitting its stride and a debutant side riding an emotional high. Italy’s 10-wicket victory over Nepal was genuinely impressive, but the step up from Nepal to England is cavernous.
England’s case: Their bowling attack Adil Rashid (in sublime form), Liam Dawson, and Jofra Archer will ask questions Italy’s batters have never faced. Rashid’s 3/36 against Scotland demonstrated his control. The batting lineup, even with Salt and Buttler yet to fire, has shown remarkable depth. Banton’s composure under pressure, Bethell’s consistency, and Curran’s lower-order hitting provide multiple escape routes.
Italy’s case: The Mosca brothers are genuine talents. Anthony’s strike rate of 193.75 signals a batter who can attack from ball one. Ben Manenti’s 2/9 and Crishan Kalugamage’s 3/18 show their spinners can exploit helpful surfaces. If Italy’s top order survives the new ball and targets England’s supporting bowlers, they could post a competitive total.
However, England’s superior class, tournament experience, and desperation for Super 8 qualification should prove decisive. Italy will compete fearlessly and may produce moments of brilliance, but sustaining that against this quality across 40 overs is a monumental ask. Expect England to secure their Super 8 spot with a professional, controlled performance.
ENG vs ITA Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeeper: Jos Buttler, Gian-Piero Meade
- Batters: Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Anthony Mosca
- All-rounders: Sam Curran, JJ Smuts, Ben Manenti
- Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Crishan Kalugamage
Captain (C) Pick: Adil Rashid, Jacob Bethell – England’s premier spinner in sublime form (5 wickets, 3 vs Scotland). On an Eden surface aiding spin, he is the safest wicket-taking option.
Vice-Captain (VC) Pick: Anthony Mosca, Sam Curran.
