Perfect Four-for-Four: Hope and Joseph Shine as West Indies Crush Italy to Sweep Group C

West Indies closed out their group campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 with authority, defeating Italy by 42 runs at Eden Gardens to complete a perfect four-from-four run and march into the Super Eights with momentum firmly on their side.

Asked to bat on a surface offering early seam movement, West Indies were tested up front. Italy’s new-ball pair extracted bounce and swing, striking early to remove Brandon King  for 4 and briefly slowing the scoring rate. The European side’s discipline forced the two-time champions to reset rather than explode.

It was captain Shai Hope who absorbed that pressure and then reversed it. Mixing placement with controlled aggression, Hope compiled 75 off 46 balls, striking six fours and four sixes. His innings ensured stability through the middle overs before West Indies accelerated late. Roston Chase chipped in with 24, while Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 24 added thrust at the death as the Caribbean side surged to 165/6, collecting 48 runs in the final four overs.

Italy approached the chase with optimism but quickly ran into high pace. Shamar Joseph delivered a fiery spell. His hostility forced Italy onto the defensive early.

Ben Manenti (26) and JJ Smuts (24) attempted to rebuild, rotating strike and targeting loose deliveries, but the required rate kept climbing. West Indies maintained pressure through sharp fielding and clever changes of pace. Joseph returned to finish the job, claiming 4/30, while Matthew Forde’s variations earned him 3/19.

Italy were eventually bowled out for 123 in the 18th over, ending a spirited campaign that included a memorable win earlier in the tournament.

“We wanted to finish the group stage with momentum, and I think we did that today,” said Player of the Match Shai Hope. “Credit to Italy; they pushed us in the first ten overs, but our quality with the ball told in the end. We are exactly where we want to be heading into the Super Eights.”

With 165/6 defended convincingly and Italy restricted to 123, West Indies vs Italy became another statement in the T20 World Cup 2026.