We assess the five teams in Group C — England, Scotland, West Indies, Nepal and debutants Italy — for the T20 World Cup, live on Sky Sports from February 7 to March 8.
England
Best result: Winners (2010, 2022)
2024 result: Lost to India in semi-finals
How did they qualify for 2026? Through performance at last T20 World Cup
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 possess one of the tournament’s deepest batting line-ups. The destructive opening pair of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt can change matches inside a few overs — Salt already has four T20I hundreds, including one off 39 balls — while Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell provide quality in the middle order. Adil Rashid leads a strong spin group and Jofra Archer adds a varied seam option. After a poor Ashes, England will be eager to make amends in the T20 World Cup.
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
How did they qualify for 2026? Replaced Bangladesh after the Asian side 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 were a late inclusion and have had limited preparation but bring experience and a few X-factors. Former New Zealand batter Tom Bruce qualifies through family roots and adds quality to the top order. Young seamer Zainullah Ihsan transitioned from tape-ball cricket and could be a surprise weapon. Mark Watt’s left-arm spin and Brendan McMullen’s power-hitting (95 off 39 in a warm-up and 60 off 34 versus Australia in 2024) give Scotland tools to challenge higher-ranked sides.
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
How did they qualify for 2026? Through performance at last T20 World Cup
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: West Indies remain a force in pure T20 hitting and cannot be discounted. Sherfane Rutherford is one of the more destructive finishers around, and Shai Hope showed outstanding form domestically with a top score of 118*. Bowling options include emerging quick Shamar Joseph and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who is often used in the powerplay. Despite inconsistent recent results, the Windies’ big-hitting and quality attack make them dangerous on their day.
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
How did they qualify for 2026? Came through the 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: Italy make their World Cup debut and will rely on experienced heads and a handful of internationals. Derbyshire veteran Wayne Madsen, 42, leads the side. Former South Africa all-rounder JJ Smuts brings international experience. The Manenti brothers — Ben and Harry — add an Australian domestic flavour after Big Bash stints. Injury ruled Durham’s Emilio Gay out, but the squad still packs seasoned campaigners and could spring surprises as newcomers.
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
How did they qualify for 2026? Came through the 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 have progressed rapidly and proved they can trouble top teams — notably losing to South Africa by a run in 2024. Rohit Paudel leads an improving batting group while Kushal Bhurtel offers attacking options at the top and leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who claimed 12 wickets in qualifying, is their standout bowler. Off-spinner Sher Malla’s domestic form (17 wickets in the 2025 Nepal Premier League) is another asset to watch.
Round-one fixtures: vs England (Feb 8, Mumbai); vs Italy (Feb 12, Mumbai); vs West Indies (Feb 15, Mumbai); vs Scotland (Feb 17, Mumbai)
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