Carnage or the Ultimate Upset? West Indies vs Italy Group C Showdown – Everything You Need to Know
By Crick tv
Updated: Feb 19, 2026 10:47 AM
Get ready, cricket fans! The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is delivering absolute cinema, and Match 37 is gearing up to be a fascinating watch. We have the two-time world champions, West Indies, locking horns with the ultimate underdogs and tournament debutants, Italy.
Taking place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, this Group C morning clash is a classic tale of Caribbean firepower meeting Italian passion. Whether you are backing the heavyweights or rooting for the ultimate upset, this match has all the ingredients of a dhamakedar T20 showdown!
The Men in Maroon: Absolute Rampage
Let’s be real—West Indies have been playing like they have a point to prove. They are currently sitting at the top of Group C, completely unbeaten, and have already punched their ticket to the Super 8s.
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The Carnage So Far: They’ve comfortably dismantled Scotland, stunned England by 30 runs, and cruised past Nepal.
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Players in Form: Skipper Shai Hope is looking incredibly fluent, while Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford are handling the finishing duties with sheer brute force. Add Jason Holder’s towering presence with the ball, and you have a nearly flawless playing XI.
Italy’s Cinderella Story: Playing for Pride
Yes, the Azzurri are officially out of the Super 8 race after their loss to England, but let's take a moment to appreciate their journey. For a debutant team to step onto the global stage and register a historic, jaw-dropping 10-wicket victory over Nepal is no small feat!
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The Fearless Approach: Led by Harry Manenti (stepping in for the injured Wayne Madsen), Italy has shown they aren't here just to make up the numbers.
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The Sparks: Keep an eye on the Mosca brothers (Justin and Anthony) at the top of the order, and the wily leg-spin of Crishan Kalugamage. They have nothing to lose, making them an incredibly dangerous opponent.
Pitch & Conditions: Expect Fireworks in Kolkata
If there is one thing Eden Gardens guarantees, it is pure entertainment.
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Batting Paradise: The pitch is historically flat, true, and fantastic for strokeplay.
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Short Boundaries: With the lightning-fast outfield and relatively short dimensions, clearing the ropes is easy for power-hitters.
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The Verdict: If the West Indies bat first, expect them to target the 200+ run mark. However, the 11:00 AM IST start time means seamers might get a tiny bit of early moisture to work with in the opening overs.
Key Matchups That Will Decide the Game
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Jason Holder vs Justin Mosca: Mosca has been in exceptional form, but surviving Holder’s steep bounce and swing in the powerplay will be his ultimate acid test.
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Shimron Hetmyer vs Crishan Kalugamage: Hetmyer loves going berserk in the middle overs, but Kalugamage has a knack for picking up crucial wickets when the team needs them most.
Final Verdict
While Italy’s fairy-tale run has been the feel-good story of the 2026 World Cup, the sheer depth, big-stage temperament, and explosive T20 pedigree of the West Indies make them heavy favorites to win this one and finish their group stage flawlessly. But in T20 cricket, all it takes is one crazy spell or one wild innings to flip the script entirely!
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