Captain Shai Hope emerged as West Indies’ hero in their T20 World Cup 2026 Group C match against Italy at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, smashing 75 runs to propel his side to 165 for 6. Italy, after calling correctly at the toss and inserting the opponents, now faces a steep chase.
West Indies’ top order collapsed dramatically, losing Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer with only 31 on the board. Hope then took charge, building a solid 64-run alliance with Roston Chase, who made 24 before holing out. The middle order faltered thereafter, but Hope’s masterclass kept momentum alive.
Blasting 4 sixes and 6 fours in his 46-ball knock, Hope’s innings was a blend of patience and power. Finishing touches came from Rutherford’s unbeaten 24 (15 balls) and Forde’s brisk 16 (8 balls), lifting the total to a par score on this venue.
Italy’s bowlers deserve credit for their disciplined effort. Manenti’s 2/37 and Calugamage’s 2/25 headlined the card, with Hassan (1/24) and Draca (1/22) providing support. They nullified West Indies’ big hitters bar the captain.
With Super 8 qualification in the bag, this match is a formality for West Indies, yet Italy senses an opportunity for glory. A win would send shockwaves through the tournament.