Kolkata, February 16, 2026 — If you had told a cricket fan five years ago that the most electrifying match of a T20 World Cup group stage would be Italy vs. England at Eden Gardens, they would have directed you to the nearest psychiatrist. King Exchange But today, the "City of Joy" served up a masterpiece that felt less like a mismatch and more like a high-stakes European football final played with a bat and ball.

England eventually escaped with a 24-run victory to seal their Super 8s berth, but the scoreline tells only half the story. This was the day the Azzurri proved they belong on the world stage.

The Setting: A Football Rivalry in a Cricket Cathedral

There is something poetic about Italy and England facing off in Kolkata. This is a city that lives and breathes football as much as cricket. As the Italian fans—a small but boisterous "Curva" in the stands—belted out Il Canto degli Italiani, the echoes of Euro 2020 finals and historic Wembley battles felt strangely present in the humid Bengal air.

The First Half: Will Jacks Rescues the Champions

After winning the toss, England looked shaky. Jos Buttler’s lean run continued as he fell for just 3, silenced by the medium pace of Grant Stewart. At 105/5 in the 13th over, an almighty upset was brewing.

Enter Will Jacks. In a blistering display of power hitting, Jacks smashed an unbeaten 53 off just 22 balls. Alongside Sam Curran, he dragged England past the 200-mark. A total of 202/7 felt "safe" against an Associate nation. Eden Gardens thought the game was over.

Italy had other ideas.

The Italian Counter-Attack

Jofra Archer looked to have killed the contest immediately, removing Anthony Mosca and JJ Smuts for ducks in the very first over. At 1/2, Italy were supposed to roll over.

Instead, we witnessed one of the great World Cup partnerships. Ben Manenti (60 off 25) and Justin Mosca (43 off 34) didn't just survive; they counter-attacked. Manenti, in particular, played a "no-respect" brand of cricket, launching Adil Rashid and Sam Curran for sixes that cleared the massive Eden boundaries with ease. When Italy crossed 100 in the 12th over, the Kolkata crowd—traditionally lovers of the underdog—began chanting for the Azzurri.

The Final Over Drama

When Grant Stewart launched a late-innings assault, smashing 45 off 23 balls, the equation dropped to 30 needed off the final two overs. The unthinkable was minutes away.

However, England’s experience finally told. Sam Curran, showing the composure that won England the 2022 title, produced a masterful penultimate over to remove Stewart and stem the flow of runs. Italy finished on 178, falling 24 runs short, but they left the field to a standing ovation from 60,000 Indian fans.

Why This Matters

For England, it’s a wake-up call. Captain Harry Brook admitted post-match that they are "yet to hit peak form." They survived, but the aura of invincibility has been dented.

For Italy, this was a manifesto. They aren't just here to make up the numbers or swap jerseys. With a win over Nepal already under their belts and this "classic" against England, Italian cricket has arrived.

As the sun set over the Hooghly River, the takeaway was clear: Cricket is globalizing, and sometimes, the best stories are found in the most unexpected fixtures.

Match Summary:

• England: 202/7 (20 overs) - Will Jacks 53*, Tom Banton 30.

• Italy: 178/10 (20 overs) - Ben Manenti 60, Grant Stewart 45; Jamie Overton 3/18, Sam Curran 3/22.

• Result: England won by 24 runs.