In an impressive display of cricket, the West Indies triumphed over Italy by 42 runs in their final group-stage match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens on Thursday. The two-time champions delivered a commanding performance both with bat and ball, securing their place in the Super 8 stage without losing a match.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the West Indies faced early challenges with opener Brendon King dismissed cheaply. Further pressure mounted as Shimron Hetmyer also failed to capitalize on his innings. However, captain Shai Hope emerged as a stabilizing force, anchoring the innings with remarkable composure and aggression.

Hope's partnership of 64 runs with Roston Chase proved crucial in steadying the ship. The captain reached his half-century in just 28 balls, showcasing elegant stroke play that dismantled the Italian bowling lineup. Despite a brief wobble in the middle order, where Hope and Rowman Powell fell quickly, late contributions from Sherfane Rutherford (24* off 15) and Matthew Forde (16 off 8) propelled the West Indies to a competitive total of 165/6 after 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 166, Italy's innings faltered from the get-go. Justin Mosca and Anthony Mosca fell to the West Indies' disciplined bowling attack early, setting the tone for a challenging chase. Despite efforts from JJ Smuts and Harry Manenti to rebuild the innings, the Italians faced a series of setbacks as they lost regular wickets.

JJ Smuts managed to score 24 runs before falling to Gudakesh Motie, while Ben Manenti contributed 26 runs alongside Grant Stewart, who struggled to keep the innings afloat. Italy ended their innings well short of the target, bowled out for 123 in just 18 overs. Fast bowler Shamar Joseph was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 30 runs. He was ably supported by Matthew Forde, who chipped in with 3 wickets, and Gudakesh Motie, who took 2.

The convincing win sees the West Indies head into the next stage of the tournament with strong momentum, showcasing the caliber of a team that has been a two-time champion in the T20 format.