Italy Announces 15-Member Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
New Delhi: Italy has officially revealed its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, set to commence on February 7. The Italian team, known as the Azzurri, will kick off their maiden campaign against Bangladesh on February 9 at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Following a breakdown in relations with former Australia cricketer Joe Burns, Italy has appointed Wayne Madsen as the captain for the tournament. Notably, the selection of JJ Smuts, who played international cricket for South Africa until 2021, has garnered attention. Smuts brings a wealth of experience, having participated in 13 T20 Internationals and six One Day Internationals for South Africa, thereby adding depth and expertise to the squad as they prepare for this significant event.
The Path to the T20 World Cup 2026
Italy secured qualification for the tournament following an impressive performance at the T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier 2025, where they finished second. Significant victories over Scotland and Guernsey paved their way to qualification, marking a substantial advancement in the nation’s cricketing pursuits alongside the Netherlands.
Supporting the team during the tournament is a seasoned coaching staff. John Davison has been appointed as head coach, with Kevin O’Brien and Douglas Brown serving as assistant coaches. Team operations will be managed by Peter Di Venuto as Italy gears up to face the challenges of a global cricketing platform.
In the group stage, Italy has been placed in Group C, where they will contend against formidable opponents including two-time champions England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Squad:
Wayne Madsen (captain), Marcus Campopiano (wicketkeeper), Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
