Watch: Italy players get warm welcome in Chennai ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Italy players could be playing the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka for the very first time in their cricketing history, but they had rung warning bells for teams in their group stage of the event. In their opening clash against Canada at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the newcomers stunned higher-ranked sides with a splendid performance. 

Ahead of their opening clash of the event against Scotland in the morning of February 09 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the players of Italy have made their way to Chennai, after which they will fly to Kolkata. They got a grand welcome in Chennai when the hotel operators gave the players warmth while they made their way inside.

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In Chennai, Italy posted a strong score of 156 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs of the first innings. Their number three batter, JJ Smuts, who featured for South Africa in the past, cracked a fine knock of 49 runs in 37 balls at a strike rate of 132.43, with the help of five boundaries and one six.

Itlay players get warm welcome in Chennai hotel ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Italy’s two openers struggled to get going on a surface that helped the spinners a little bit, as they couldn’t cross the strike rate of 130. Their captain, Wayne Madsen, also returned for a poor score of 10 runs in 11 balls, while Harry Manenti smashed 33 unbeaten runs in 24 balls at a strike rate of 137.50, with the help of four boundaries.

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In reply, Canada was restricted to 146 runs in their 20 overs for the loss of six wickets. Their opener, Yuvraj Sharma, smacked 33 runs in 23 balls at a strike rate of 143.38, thanks to five boundaries and one six. Nicholas Kirton grabbed 33 runs in 27 balls. Grant Stewart returned with figures of 1/18.

Italy will be up against Nepal on February 12 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai before locking horns with England back in Kolkata. Their last group-stage contest will be at the same venue on February 10 against the West Indies.