Match 29 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see England take on Italy on February 16 at 3:00 PM local time at Eden Gardens. This Group C clash is vital for both teams as the points table tightens. England needs another win to secure qualification, while Italy hopes to build on their recent victory.
England
England’s tournament has been inconsistent. They narrowly won their first match against Nepal but lost to the West Indies before achieving a solid victory over Scotland. This win placed them second in the group standings. Although their bowling unit is strong, the batting lineup requires more dependable performances. The team aims to put forth a complete effort to earn essential points.
Italy
Italy has shown significant improvement in the tournament. After a tough loss in their opening match, they bounced back with a win against Nepal, marking their first World Cup victory. The bowlers demonstrated good control, while the batters played with confidence. Italy will approach the match against England with optimism following their recent success, even though they face a team with more experience.
ENG vs ITA Match Details
| ENG vs ITA T20I WC Match Details | |
| Match | England vs Italy, 29th T20I Match |
| Date and Time | Monday, February 16; 3:00 p.m. IST |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Broadcasting and live streaming | TV-Star Sports Network, Live Stream-JioHotstar |
ENG vs ITA T20 WC Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens pitch is expected to favor bowlers initially, but batters will find scoring opportunities as the match progresses. Pacers will benefit from the new ball, and spinners should be able to extract turn later on. The average first-inning score here this year has been around 170.
ENG vs ITA T20 WC Weather Report
Kolkata’s weather is ideal for Cricket, with sunny conditions and afternoon temperatures ranging from 27-29°C. There is no rain expected, ensuring an uninterrupted match with moderate humidity levels.
ENG vs ITA Head-to-Head Records
This match will be their first head-to-head encounter.
ENG vs ITA Probable XI
- England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
- Italy: Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (c), Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano/Wayne Madsen, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade (wk), Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan
Players to Watch Out For in the ENG vs ITA Match
- Phil Salt: A powerful batter, Salt aims to regain form after a few quiet games. The match against Italy could be a pivotal moment for him.
- Adil Rashid: A crucial bowler for England, Rashid has taken 5 wickets in 3 matches. His ability to take wickets during the middle overs is vital for controlling Italy’s scoring.
- Justin Mosca: With a strong inning of 60 not out against Nepal, Mosca has shown maturity and confidence. Italy will look to him for a solid performance.
- Crishan Kalugamage: Impressive in the last match with 3 wickets for 18 runs, Kalugamage’s performance will be key in challenging England’s batting lineup.
ENG vs ITA Toss Prediction
Historical Toss-Winning Stats at the Venue
- The last 3 T20 matches played here saw the winning team choose to bowl first.
Advantages of Batting First on This Pitch
- Out of the last 13 T20I matches at this venue, teams batting first have won 7, while those chasing have won 6. Recent trends suggest batting first may prove beneficial during the day match.
ENG vs ITA Today’s Match Scenario
Scenario 1
- Toss Winner: ENG (opts to bat first)
- Power-Play Score: 45-50
- ENG Total: 180-190
- Match Winner: England
Scenario 2
- Toss Winner: ITA (opts to bat first)
- Power-Play Score: 35-40
- ITA Total: 140-150
- Match Winner: England
Who Will Win Today’s ENG vs ITA T20 World Cup Match?
England is favored in this match due to their strong squad and experienced players. They have a balanced bowling attack, and their batters have shown potential in earlier matches. While Italy is coming off a win, England’s overall strength positions them well for victory as they strive for qualification.
