The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai hosted an exciting match on February 11, 2026, where the West Indies defeated England by 30 runs in a Group C game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Despite a rough start, the West Indies posted a strong score of 196/6 and bowled England out for 166. This win not only thrilled the local crowd but also demonstrated the West Indies’ aim to reclaim their status in T20 Cricket.
Sherfane Rutherford’s impactful innings turns the tide for West Indies
Things looked grim for the West Indies early in the match. By the second over, Jofra Archer and Sam Curran had taken out Shai Hope and Brandon King, leaving the team at 8/2. However, Sherfane Rutherford came to the rescue.
Rutherford entered the game when the score was 77/4 and played aggressively. While Roston Chase (34) and Shimron Hetmyer (23) steadied the innings, Rutherford shone with an impressive 76 runs off just 42 balls, including 6 sixes and 9 fours. He excelled in the final overs, helping to push the score past 196/6 alongside Jason Holder, who contributed 33 off 17 balls. In the last five overs, the West Indies scored at over 12 runs per over, leaving the English bowlers, like Will Jacks and Archer, struggling to keep up.
Gudakesh Motie’s spin dominates England’s innings
In response to chasing 197, England started strong with Phil Salt scoring 30 runs off 14 balls. By the end of the Powerplay, they were at 67/1 and appeared to be in control. However, Gudakesh Motie changed the game completely.
Motie, a left-arm spinner, disrupted England’s middle order. He dismissed Jacob Bethell (33) just as he was gaining momentum, followed by quick wickets of Tom Banton and captain Harry Brook. Motie’s excellent figures of 3/33 effectively limited England’s scoring chances and forced mistakes. While Sam Curran fought back with an unbeaten 43, the lack of support from teammates was evident. Chase also performed well with 2/29, taking out Jos Buttler when he looked to break free. The West Indies’ disciplined bowling kept taking wickets consistently, preventing any big partnerships after the 10th over.
The match wrapped up in the 19th over when Shamar Joseph dismissed Adil Rashid, igniting celebrations among the fans. With this 30-run victory, the West Indies have solidified their position as a strong contender in Group C.
Here’s how fans reacted:
