The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues with Match 29 as England take on Italy in a crucial Group C clash at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
England have kept their qualification hopes alive with a strong win in their previous match and now need another victory to strengthen their chances of reaching the next stage. Italy, meanwhile, are coming into this game with confidence after a historic win and will look to challenge one of the tournament favorites.
This match is important for both teams as the group stage reaches its decisive phase.
ENG vs ITA Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match | England vs Italy – Match 29 |
| Date | Monday, 16 February 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
Match Preview
England
England finally delivered a solid performance in their last game after an inconsistent start to the tournament. Their batting lineup looks powerful with players like Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Harry Brook, and Will Jacks.
However, the openers have not yet produced big scores, and the team will hope for a strong start against Italy. Their bowling attack, led by Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid, adds experience and quality.
Key Strengths
- Explosive batting lineup
- Experienced pace and spin attack
- Strong depth in both departments
Key Concerns
- Inconsistent top-order performances
- Need a complete team performance
Italy
Italy are one of the emerging teams in the tournament and come into this match after a dominant win over Nepal. That victory would have boosted their confidence.
Players like Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, and JJ Smuts will be key for Italy. However, facing a strong England side will be a big challenge.
Key Strengths
- Confidence after a big win
- Fighting team spirit
- Useful all-round options
Key Concerns
- Limited experience against top teams
- Bowling may struggle against England’s strong batting
Head-to-Head Record
| Teams | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| England | 0 |
| Italy | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
First-ever T20 meeting between the two teams.
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| England | W, W, W, L, W |
| Italy | L, L, W, L, W |
Weather & Pitch Report – Kolkata
Weather
- Temperature: 27–29°C
- Humidity: 20–30%
- Rain: No rain expected
Pitch Report
- Batting-friendly surface
- Spinners can get assistance in middle overs
- Chasing teams have a slight advantage
Eden Gardens – T20I Stats
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 16 |
| Bat First Wins | 7 |
| Bat Second Wins | 9 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 158 |
| Highest Score | 207/4 |
| Lowest Score | 70 |
Predicted Playing 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
- Justin Mosca
- Anthony Mosca
- JJ Smuts
- Harry Manenti (c)
- Ben Manenti
- Marcus Campopiano
- Grant Stewart
- Gian Meade (wk)
- Jaspreet Singh
- Crishan Kalugamage
- Ali Hasan
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Jacob Bethell
- Tom Banton
- JJ Smuts
- Anthony Mosca
Grand League (High-Risk Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Jos Buttler
- Phil Salt
- Harry Manenti
- Ben Manenti
ENG vs ITA Dream11 Prediction – Who Will Win?
Italy are improving and coming with confidence, but they lack experience against top international teams. England, on the other hand, have a strong batting lineup and a much more experienced bowling attack.
The pace of Jofra Archer and the spin of Adil Rashid could trouble Italy’s batting. If England’s top order fires, they should dominate the contest.
Predicted Winner: England
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| England | No injury updates |
| Italy | No injury updates |
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