West Indies vs Italy Prediction: Who Will Win WI vs ITLY 37th T20 Match on 19th February 2026?
The much-anticipated West Indies vs Italy prediction for the 37th T20 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 brings together a dominant Caribbean side and an ambitious Italian unit at the iconic Eden Gardens. Scheduled for Thursday, 19th February 2026, this contest holds contrasting stakes: West Indies have already sealed their Super Eight berth, while Italy aim to finish their debut campaign with pride. Cricketwebs provides the best match prediction tips for every cricket match, and this encounter promises tactical intrigue despite the apparent gap in experience.
West Indies have looked clinical throughout the tournament, winning all three of their Group C matches and even defeating tournament heavyweights England Cricket Team. Their net run rate of +1.820 highlights both batting dominance and bowling control. Players like Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, and Romario Shepherd have thrived in Kolkata conditions, with Shepherd and Roston Chase combining for 13 wickets at Eden Gardens in T20Is. The Caribbean side appears balanced, explosive, and tactically disciplined.
Italy, meanwhile, have exceeded expectations in their maiden World Cup appearance. Their historic win over Nepal national cricket team has energized European cricket. Ben Manenti’s explosive batting and Crishan Kalugamage’s wicket-taking ability have stood out. Though they are eliminated from Super Eight contention, Italy’s fearless brand of cricket ensures they won’t be pushovers.
With chasing sides winning 3 of 4 T20 World Cup 2026 matches at Eden Gardens, toss and dew could influence strategy. However, on paper and in form, West Indies enter as overwhelming favourites in this final group-stage clash.
- West Indies enter unbeaten, topping Group C with dominant performances. Their balanced lineup features power hitters, versatile all-rounders, and experienced bowlers suited to Kolkata’s conditions. With qualification secured, they may experiment slightly but will aim to maintain momentum heading into the Super Eight stage.
- Italy’s debut campaign has been impressive. They secured a historic win over Nepal and pushed England hard in a high-scoring thriller. Their aggressive middle-order batting and energetic bowling unit demonstrate promise, even against top-tier opponents.
- Eden Gardens favors chasing teams, with 3 of 4 matches won by the side batting second in this tournament. Dew in the second innings may assist batters, making toss crucial in tactical planning.
- Winning probabilities heavily favor West Indies (88%), given their depth, experience, and superior T20 pedigree. Italy (12%) would require an extraordinary performance with both bat and ball to script an upset.
Match Details
| Match | WI vs ITLY, 37th T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 19 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM (Local) |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Tournament | T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
Team Previews
West Indies Preview
West Indies have re-established themselves as a formidable T20 force in this World Cup. With three commanding victories, including a statement win over England, they sit comfortably at the top of Group C. Their campaign reflects strategic clarity, squad depth, and execution under pressure.
Captain Shai Hope rediscovered his rhythm with a composed 61 off 44 balls against Nepal, anchoring the chase with maturity. His leadership has been calm and calculated. Shimron Hetmyer has been the standout batter with 133 runs in three matches, consistently providing explosive starts. Sherfane Rutherford’s 76 off 42 against England showcased his power-hitting range, while Rovman Powell remains a dangerous finisher capable of turning matches in the death overs.
The all-round department is West Indies’ biggest strength. Jason Holder leads the bowling charts with seven wickets, including a match-winning 4/27. Romario Shepherd’s five-wicket haul against Scotland, including a hat-trick, underlines his wicket-taking prowess. Roston Chase contributes with both bat and ball, maintaining middle-over control alongside Gudakesh Motie.
Bowling variety gives the Caribbean side tactical flexibility. Akeal Hosein offers left-arm spin control, while Shamar Joseph brings pace and bounce. On Eden Gardens’ surface, which traditionally assists spinners early and batters later, their balanced attack is ideal.
Even with qualification secured, complacency is unlikely. West Indies aim to maintain rhythm before the knockout phase. Their experience as two-time T20 champions adds psychological advantage. Overall, their blend of power, depth, and experience makes them overwhelming favourites against Italy.
Italy Preview
Italy’s debut T20 World Cup campaign has been a breakthrough moment for European cricket. Though positioned fourth in Group C, their performances reflect resilience and growth. The Azzurri demonstrated their potential by defeating Nepal and challenging England in a high-scoring thriller.
Justin Mosca’s steady top-order contributions have provided stability. Against England, he scored 43 off 34 balls, rebuilding after early wickets. The middle-order firepower is Italy’s biggest weapon. Ben Manenti, experienced from Big Bash League exposure, smashed 60 off 25 balls at a 240 strike rate, while Grant Stewart added a blistering 45 off 23.
JJ Smuts and Marcus Campopiano provide flexibility and depth. Harry Manenti leads confidently, encouraging aggressive cricket. The batting unit is fearless and capable of posting competitive totals if early wickets are avoided.
Bowling-wise, Crishan Kalugamage leads with five wickets, showing control even under pressure. Ben Manenti, JJ Smuts, and Grant Stewart contribute valuable overs. Italy’s bowling relies on discipline rather than pace dominance. Against West Indies’ power hitters, variation and tight lines will be essential.
Fielding standards have been commendable, with athletic ground coverage. While Italy may lack elite-level exposure, their team spirit and attacking mindset make them dangerous on their day. An upset would require early breakthroughs and a fearless batting display.
Team Squad
Italy Squad
Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (c), Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Marcus Campopiano, Gian Meade (wk), Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan, Syed Naqvi, Zain Ali, Thomas Draca, Wayne Madsen
West Indies Squad
Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Jayden Seales, Quentin Sampson, Johnson Charles
Probable Playing XI
West Indies
Brandon King, Shai Hope (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie
Italy
Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (C), Ben Manenti, Grant Stewart, Marcus Campopiano, Gian Meade (WK), Crishan Kalugamage, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan
West Indies vs Italy Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Shai Hope |
| BAT | Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Ben Manenti |
| AR | Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Grant Stewart, JJ Smuts |
| BOWL | Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Crishan Kalugamage |
Fantasy selections should prioritize West Indies’ core players due to their superior win probability. Shai Hope offers consistency at the top and wicketkeeping points. Hetmyer and King provide explosive batting potential. Jason Holder and Roston Chase offer dual scoring avenues via batting and bowling. Shepherd’s wicket-taking ability enhances fantasy value, especially at Eden Gardens. From Italy, Ben Manenti and Grant Stewart are high-impact picks due to aggressive middle-order batting and bowling contributions.
Captain Choices: Jason Holder / Shimron Hetmyer
Vice-Captain Choices: Romario Shepherd / Ben Manenti
Players to Avoid: Anthony Mosca, Jaspreet Singh
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match – West Indies
West Indies enter this contest as overwhelming favourites due to superior squad depth, tournament momentum, and historical pedigree in T20 cricket. They have dominated Group C with three consecutive victories and possess explosive power across departments. Their batting lineup features match-winners capable of clearing boundaries at will, while the bowling attack combines pace, variation, and middle-over spin control.
At Eden Gardens, experience under high-pressure ICC conditions becomes critical — an area where West Indies hold a decisive edge over Italy. Even if minor rotation occurs ahead of the Super Eight stage, their bench strength remains formidable.
Why West Indies?
- Unbeaten in the tournament
- Strong all-round balance
- Proven ICC event performers
- Superior bowling attack depth
West Indies T20 History
| Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 248 | 107 | 129 | 12 | 0 |
West Indies are two-time T20 World Champions with extensive global experience and a legacy of power-hitting dominance.
Italy T20 History
| Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 26 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
Italy have shown steady progress in European cricket circuits with an improving win ratio.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Matches | West Indies Won | Italy Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
This will be the first-ever T20I meeting between West Indies and Italy, making it a historic fixture.
Pitch Report
Eden Gardens traditionally provides a balanced T20 surface. Early overs assist seamers with slight movement, especially under morning humidity. As the game progresses, batting becomes easier due to true bounce and shorter square boundaries. Spinners often extract grip during middle overs, making variations crucial. In the T20 World Cup 2026, chasing sides have enjoyed success here, largely due to dew settling in the second innings. A score of 170+ should be competitive, but teams may prefer bowling first given recent trends.
Weather Report
| Factor | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Max Temp | 29°C |
| Min Temp | 18°C |
| Conditions | Mostly Cloudy |
| Rain Chance | Minimal |
| Air Quality | Very Unhealthy |
Conditions are mostly cloudy with warm temperatures. No significant rain threat is expected, though air quality levels could be poor. Dew may influence second innings bowling control.
Broadcast Details
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed digitally on JioHotstar across India. International viewers can access official ICC broadcast partners in their respective regions.
Toss Prediction
Given Eden Gardens’ recent record favoring chasing teams (3 of 4 matches won batting second in this tournament), captains are likely to opt for bowling first. Dew factor and improved second-innings batting conditions make chasing strategically advantageous. Italy are predicted to win the toss, but regardless of outcome, the team batting second may gain a marginal edge.
Probable Top Batsman & Bowler
For West Indies, Shimron Hetmyer remains the most probable top scorer due to his aggressive middle-order strike rate and consistency throughout the tournament. Shai Hope could anchor the innings if early wickets fall. For Italy, Ben Manenti stands out as their primary batting threat, particularly given his impressive strike rate at Eden Gardens.
On the bowling front, Jason Holder’s discipline and ability to strike in powerplay and death overs make him the strongest wicket-taking candidate. Romario Shepherd’s variation and pace also pose serious challenges. For Italy, Crishan Kalugamage could lead the attack with his consistency and control.
West Indies vs Italy Winning Chances
| Team | Winning % | Why They Win | Why They May Lose |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 88% | Depth, power hitters, superior bowling | Possible squad rotation, complacency |
| Italy | 12% | Fearless batting, nothing to lose mindset | Experience gap, weaker bowling attack |
Match Prediction
Considering current form, squad depth, ICC tournament experience, and overall balance, West Indies are expected to dominate this contest. Italy may show flashes of brilliance but sustaining pressure across 40 overs against a powerhouse side appears unlikely.
Prediction: West Indies will win comfortably.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
Legal Disclaimer: All content on cricketwebs.com is provided strictly for informational, analytical, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote, support, or facilitate betting, wagering, or gambling in any form. This website does not offer betting odds, wagering advice, or monetary recommendations. Laws relating to online betting and gambling vary by jurisdiction and may be restricted or illegal in certain regions, including parts of India. Users are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable local laws. Content is intended for audiences in jurisdictions where such material is lawful. cricketwebs.com accepts no liability for actions taken by users based on this content.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricketwebs on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
