The historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata sets the stage for a compelling European derby as Scotland takes on World Cup debutants Italy in the ninth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This Group C clash presents a fascinating dynamic: Scotland, a seasoned Associate nation looking to bounce back from an opening loss, versus an Italian side riding the high of their historic first-ever qualification for any Cricket World Cup. While Scotland brings the experience of numerous global tournaments, Italy counters with a squad brimming with seasoned county professionals and a wave of confidence from recent warm-up wins. This isn’t just a match; it’s a test of Scotland’s resilience against Italy’s fearless debutant spirit, promising a closer contest than the rankings might suggest.
Scotland vs Italy Win Probability
RCBW vs DCW Batting Tips
SCO vs ITA, Group C T20 World Cup 2026 7th Match Details
| Match | ICC T20 World Cup 2026, 7th Match, Group C |
| Date | Monday, February 09, 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM (IST) |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Live Streaming (TV) | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming (Mobile) | JioHotstar |
SCO vs ITA Team Form – Who Will Win Today’s Match?
Scotland
Scotland’s form reads L, L, L, W, L, coming off a 35-run defeat to the West Indies. Their key strength lies in a balanced and experienced core. The batting boasts the explosiveness of George Munsey, the anchor role of Michael Jones, and the leadership of the prolific Richie Berrington (42 off 24 in the last game). The bowling, featuring the disciplined Bradley Currie and spin options like Mark Watt, is tailored for control. The psychological edge comes from their greater familiarity with the World Cup stage, but they carry the pressure of needing a win to get their campaign on track.
Italy
Italy enters with positive momentum, their recent form showing W, W, L, L, including warm-up victories over Canada and the UAE. Their greatest asset is a squad rich in professional experience. Players like captain Wayne Madsen (Derbyshire veteran), JJ Smuts (former South Africa A), and the Manenti brothers (BBL experience) bring a calm, skilled mindset. Their realistic objective is to compete fiercely and potentially spring a surprise in their debut. The key challenge is adapting instantly to the grand stage of Eden Gardens and the pressure of a first World Cup match.
SCO vs ITA Probable Playing XI
Scotland Probable XI-
George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (C), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (WK), Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Oliver Davidson, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Currie.
Italy Probable XI-
Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Marcus Campopiano, JJ Smuts, Wayne Madsen (C), Gian-Piero Meade (WK), Grant Stewart, Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Thomas Draca, Jaspreet Singh.
SCO vs ITA Head-to-Head Record
| Total Match Played | 02 |
| SCO Won | 01 |
| ITA Won | 01 |
| Draw/No Result | 00 |
SCO vs ITA Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata is a renowned batting-friendly surface. It is flat and offers good, consistent bounce and true pace, allowing batters to play their shots freely from the start. The outfield is exceptionally quick, amplifying any well-timed stroke. While spinners may get some purchase later, it is predominantly a high-scoring ground. A competitive first innings score is typically in the range of 160-180, with teams often aiming for 190+.
SCO vs ITA Weather Report
The weather in Kolkata will be perfect for cricket: sunny, clear skies, and pleasantly warm with a high of around 30°C and a cool breeze. There is a 0% chance of rain, guaranteeing a full, uninterrupted 40-over contest.
SCO vs ITA Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first. This is supported by a strong historical trend at Eden Gardens, where chasing teams have won 58 out of 101 T20 matches. The pitch is expected to remain true throughout the day, making chasing a target the preferred strategy.
SCO vs ITA Match Prediction
While Italy’s debut is full of promise and their team has quality, Scotland’s greater collective experience in World Cup conditions should be the decisive factor. Players like Berrington, Munsey, and Cross have been in these high-pressure situations before. Italy, despite their talented individuals, faces the dual challenge of adapting to the iconic Eden Gardens and managing debut nerves in a must-win game for Scotland. Expect a close and competitive match, but Scotland’s know-how and need for redemption should see them through.
We are backing Scotland to win this match.
SCO vs ITA Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeeper: Matthew Cross, Gian-Piero Meade
- Batters: George Munsey, Richie Berrington, Wayne Madsen
- All-rounders: Michael Leask, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart
- Bowlers: Bradley Currie, Mark Watt, Ben Manenti
Captain (C): Richie Berrington.
Vice-Captain (VC): Wayne Madsen.
