ENG vs ITA Today Match Prediction: Get ready for something truly special this afternoon! Today, Monday, February 16, 2026, England faces Italy for the very first time ever in a T20 International match. This Group C clash – Match 29 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – takes place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, starting at 3:00 PM IST.
England comes in as defending champions and heavy favorites, but Italy is full of confidence after smashing Nepal by 10 wickets in their last game.
If you’re looking for ENG vs ITA Today Match Prediction and ENG vs ITA Dream11 Prediction – T20 World Cup 2026 29th Match, stick around – we’ve got everything you need to enjoy this historic showdown.
ENG vs ITA Match Details
- Match: England vs Italy, Match 29, Group C
- Date & Time: Monday, February 16, 2026 – 3:00 PM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Live Streaming & Broadcast: Disney+ Hotstar / Star Sports Network
Bright sunshine, 29°C, and zero chance of rain – we’re getting a full, uninterrupted 40-over thriller today.
ENG vs ITA Head-to-Head Records
This is brand new territory for both teams.
| Matches Played | England Wins | Italy Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No previous meetings in T20Is. Everything starts fresh at Eden Gardens!
ENG vs ITA Pitch Report
Eden Gardens is famous for high-scoring games and lightning-fast outfields. The surface usually gives good pace and bounce early, helping top-order batters play freely. As the match goes on, the pitch can slow down a bit, allowing experienced spinners like Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson to grip the ball and take control.
- Average first-innings score: 158–171
- Early help for pacers with bounce
- Middle and death overs favor clever variations and spin
With perfect weather and no dew expected, the team batting first can aim big and put pressure on the chasing side.
ENG vs ITA Probable Playing XI
England (ENG) Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer (or Luke Wood), Adil Rashid
Italy (ITA) Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti (c), Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano, Grant Stewart, Gian-Piero Meade (wk), Crishan Kalugamage, Jaspreet Singh, Ali Hasan
England’s lineup is packed with proven T20 stars. Italy will rely heavily on the Mosca brothers and all-rounders like JJ Smuts and Harry Manenti to cause an upset.
ENG vs ITA Dream11 Prediction & Fantasy Tips
This match offers plenty of fantasy points. Here are the top picks:
- Captain: Harry Brook – consistent, aggressive, and loves finishing games.
- Vice-Captain: Sam Curran – death bowling + lower-order hitting = double points potential.
- Must-haves: Jos Buttler (due for a big knock), Anthony Mosca (scored 62 off 32 last game), Adil Rashid (wicket-taker on turning tracks), JJ Smuts (all-round value).
Suggested Dream11 Team
- WK: Jos Buttler
- BAT: Harry Brook (C), Phil Salt, Anthony Mosca
- ALL: Sam Curran (VC), JJ Smuts, Will Jacks
- BOWL: Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Jaspreet Singh
Quick tip: Load up on England’s middle-order and spinners – they’re likely to dominate on this surface.
ENG vs ITA Today Match Prediction
England is the overwhelming favorite (around 90% win probability). Their depth, experience, and world-class bowling attack – especially Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer – make them very hard to beat. The batting lineup can chase big totals or set challenging scores at Eden Gardens.
Italy has shown real fight and heart. The Mosca brothers can give explosive starts, and their all-rounders might trouble England early. But overcoming England’s quality across all departments will be a huge challenge.
Prediction: England to win comfortably.
This historic first meeting promises excitement, big hits, and maybe a surprise or two. Tune in at 3:00 PM IST – grab your snacks, invite friends, and enjoy every ball. Who do you think will shine brightest today? Drop your thoughts in the comments – let’s chat while we wait for the first ball!
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