🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 M37: ITA vs WI at Kolkata🏏 - Page 3

A motivated Windies team - Standing in their way is a West Indies side that looks every bit like a championship contender. Unbeaten in the tournament and already through to the Super 8s, the Men in Maroon are a juggernaut of power and precision. With Jason Holder spearheading a disciplined bowling attack and Shai Hope anchoring a deep batting lineup, they have brushed aside opponents with clinical ease. As they return to the iconic venue of their 2016 triumph, the Windies will be looking to maintain their perfect record and send a stern message to their future Super Eight rivals. Toss and team sheets next.

The Azzurri's final showdown - Despite the absence of their regular captain Wayne Madsen, Italy have played with a fearless brand of cricket that nearly toppled the giants of the game. Having already tasted victory against Nepal and pushed England to the absolute limit in a high-scoring thriller, the Azzurri have proven they belong on the world stage. With players like Benjamin Manenti and Grant Stewart finding form, Italy will be dreaming of a giant-killing act to sign off on their historic journey.

West Indies Innings

1.1 Ali Hasan to King, OUT

Appeal for caught behind. Not given. Italy discuss... and take the review. Sharp inswing and then seam in on the fuller side of length. King stuck on middle and leg, gap between bat and pad as he looked to drive through cover. There is a spike with ball next to the inside edge, King shakes his head as the replay is on but has to walk back

Brandon King c †Meade b Ali Hasan 4 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

WI

11-1 (2.3)

CRR4.4

4.1

W

Thomas Draca to Shimron Hetmyer, out Caught by JJ Smuts!! That's a fine catch by Smutts at short third man. This was pitched up by the bowler outside off, Shimron Hetmyer goes for a drive away from his body and the outside edge has been taken by Smutts. He dives to his right and plucks it out of thin air. Shimron Hetmyer departs for a single-digit score, fails to make an impact today. Shimron Hetmyer c JJ Smuts b Thomas Draca 1(4)

Thomas Draca to Shimron Hetmyer, THATS OUT!!Caught!!

WI 31/2 after 4.1overs

WI 45-2(5.2)

CRR:8.44

Italy opted to bowl

Partnership: 16(9)

Last Wkt: Shimron Hetmyer c JJ Smuts b Thomas Draca 1(4) - 31/2 in 4.1 ov.

Last 5 overs: 43 runs, 2 wkts

Toss: Italy (Bowling)

7.5

F

JJ Smuts to Shai Hope, 1 run, lunges forward, driving this towards long-off. Shai Hope brings up his fifty as Chase walks upto him and gives him a handshake. The West Indian supporters in the stands give him a loud cheer and a standing ovation. 👏

WI (9/20 ov) 69/2

ITA

Italy chose to field.

CRR: 7.66

• Last 5 ov (RR): 38/1 (7.60)

Live Forecast: WI 167

Manenti to Rovman Powell, out Caught by Crishan Kalugamage!! Ben Manenti has the last laugh! Rovman Powell tries to replicate the same shot. Flicks this towards deep square leg, and the fielder stationed in the deep holds onto the skier. That went miles up in the air, but Kalugamage held onto a safe catch. Has he injured his hand in the process? Rovman Powell c Crishan Kalugamage b Ben Manenti 9(9) [6s-1]

Ben Manenti to Rovman Powell, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

14.3

6

Ben Manenti to Rovman Powell, SIX, smoked into the stands! Full and quick on leg, Rovman Powell picks the length early and plays a fantastic pick up shot, clearing the boundary at deep square leg

WI 165-6(20)

ITA 5-0(1)

CRR:5

REQ:8.47

Italy need 161 runs

That’s a competitive total posted by West Indies after being put in to bat first by Italy. They were jolted early with the dismissals of King and Hetmyer, but captain Hope and Roston Chase ensured there was no further slide, stitching together a vital third-wicket partnership to steady the innings. While Chase found it hard to truly break free and had to graft for his runs, Hope was a picture of composure. He paced the innings beautifully, absorbed the pressure and led from the front with a captain’s knock - setting a solid platform for the West Indies before departing in the 16th over.

West Indies did lose wickets in a cluster through the middle overs, just as they looked set to break away. However, Rutherford and Forde provided late impetus with their brisk cameos at the death, pushing the total past the 160-run mark. Credit must go to the Italian bowlers, who held their nerve and executed their plans smartly to keep the powerful West Indian batting line-up in check. Can they chase it down though?

Pace vs Spin in this innings

Pace: 2/76 in 9 overs, ER: 9.5

Spin: 4/89 in 12 overs, ER: 7.41

WI batters vs spin in T20Is post T20 WC 2024

Wickets lost: 152 (most)

Avg: 19.94 (19th)

SR: 127.50 (7th)

Balls/dismissal: 15.6 (worst)

Dot-ball percentage: 39% (third-highest)

(*ranked among the 20 participating teams at T20 WC 2026)

Thomas Draca: I think if we can gather some momentum with that, it’s going to give us a good chance to chase it down. I think we showed we were pretty close against England, and yeah, the batters are ready to go. So enjoy it, we’re going to have some fun, and it’s going to be a good chase, I’m sure. To be fair, I just kept it pretty simple. I thought I’d run in and bowl as quick as I can. It’s been a difficult week for me, not playing the last two games, but that wicket is a reward for the hard work I’ve put in. He’s such a good player, so for me to get that wicket has been incredible. I’m pretty happy with that. But yeah, having him (Dennis Lillee) and the support he’s given me has been incredible. To be able to go out there and do that, it’s special. Yeah, hopefully. I think we deserve it as a team. So if we can go out there and chase this down, it’ll be pretty special.