Overview
Group C brings together two former champions (England and West Indies), rising Nepal, Scotland’s late-entry side and debutants Italy. The group stage opens in early February with matches across Mumbai and Kolkata — a mix of high-octane batting contests and spin-friendly tracks that should test each side’s depth and adaptability.
England
Best result: Winners (2010, 2022)
2024 result: Lost to India in semi-finals
Qualification: Direct via 2024 World Cup performance
Head coach: Brendon McCullum
Squad: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.
Players to watch: England boast one of the deepest batting line-ups in the tournament. The explosive top pairing of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt can turn games in a handful of overs — Salt already has multiple T20I hundreds — while Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell provide class and stability in the middle. Adil Rashid anchors a strong spin attack and Jofra Archer offers a high-impact pace option when fit. After a disappointing Ashes, England will be keen to reassert themselves in T20s.
Round-one fixtures: vs Nepal (Feb 8, Mumbai); vs West Indies (Feb 11, Mumbai); vs Scotland (Feb 14, Kolkata); vs Italy (Feb 16, Kolkata)
Scotland
Best result: Super 12s (2021)
2024 result: Lost in round one
Qualification: Replaced Bangladesh after the latter were removed for refusing to play matches in India
Head coach: Owen Dawkins
Squad: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal. Reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis. Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear.
Players to watch: Scotland arrive late with limited prep time but carry experienced pros and a few X-factors. Tom Bruce brings top-order solidity, Brandon McMullen is a proven power-hitter, and left-armer Mark Watt offers control and variation. Young seamer Zainullah Ihsan, who came through tape-ball cricket, could be an unexpected wicket taker if he adapts quickly to the conditions.
Round-one fixtures: vs West Indies (Feb 7, Kolkata); vs Italy (Feb 9, Kolkata); vs England (Feb 14, Kolkata); vs Nepal (Feb 17, Mumbai)
West Indies
Best result: Champions (2012, 2016)
2024 result: Knocked out in Super 8s
Qualification: Direct via 2024 World Cup performance
Head coach: Daren Sammy
Squad: Shai Hope (captain), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
Players to watch: The Windies remain one of the tournament’s most explosive batting sides. Sherfane Rutherford is a match-winning finisher and Shai Hope showed rich domestic form heading into the event. Bowling options include rising quick Shamar Joseph and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who can be effective in powerplays. On their day the Caribbean side can dismantle any attack.
Round-one fixtures: vs Scotland (Feb 7, Kolkata); vs England (Feb 11, Mumbai); vs Nepal (Feb 15, Mumbai); vs Italy (Feb 19, Kolkata)
Italy
Best result: Tournament debut
2024 result: N/A
Qualification: Europe Qualifier
Head coach: John Davison
Squad: Wayne Madsen (captain), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Ben Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
Players to watch: Making their first World Cup appearance, Italy will lean on seasoned campaigners and a few internationals to hold their own. Veteran Wayne Madsen leads a side with domestic experience, former South Africa all-rounder JJ Smuts adds quality, and the Manenti brothers bring Big Bash-honed skills. Although Durham’s Emilio Gay was ruled out by injury, the squad still contains players capable of springing a surprise.
Round-one fixtures: vs Scotland (Feb 9, Kolkata); vs Nepal (Feb 12, Mumbai); vs England (Feb 16, Kolkata); vs West Indies (Feb 19, Kolkata)
Nepal
Best result: Round one (2014, 2024)
2024 result: Knocked out in round one
Qualification: Asia-Pacific Regional Final
Head coach: Stuart Law
Squad: Rohit Paudel (captain), Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahamad, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, Lokesh Bam.
Players to watch: Nepal’s rapid rise in T20 cricket has made them a tricky opponent. Rohit Paudel leads an improving batting group; Kushal Bhurtel is an aggressive top-order option and leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who took 12 wickets in qualifying, is their chief wicket-taker. Off-spinner Sher Malla’s strong domestic form is another weapon that could be decisive on subcontinental pitches.
Round-one fixtures: vs England (Feb 8, Mumbai); vs Italy (Feb 12, Mumbai); vs West Indies (Feb 15, Mumbai); vs Scotland (Feb 17, Mumbai)
Outlook
England start as favourites on paper thanks to their batting depth and experience, but T20s are unpredictable: West Indies’ firepower, Nepal’s improving attack, Scotland’s gritty competitiveness and Italy’s unknown factor make Group C wide open. Spin-friendly wickets and the early-February schedule mean adaptability and bench strength will be vital.
Watch live
The Men’s T20 World Cup runs from February 7 to March 8. Follow Group C action live on Sky Sports, or stream contract-free with NOW.