ICC T20 World Cup 2026 was marred by an early setback as captain Wayne Madsen suffered a shoulder injury during their Group C clash against Scotland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
The incident occurred just four overs into the match, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a landmark occasion for Italian cricket.
Madsen, Italy’s most experienced cricketer, was forced to leave the field after injuring his shoulder while attempting a diving stop near the boundary.
The skipper landed awkwardly during the effort and was seen in visible discomfort immediately after the fall. Medical staff rushed onto the field, and his arm was placed in a sling before he was escorted off, raising concerns of a possible shoulder dislocation.
Confirmation soon followed from the sidelines, with reports indicating that Madsen had indeed dislocated his left shoulder and would take no further part in the match.
The blow came shortly after Italy had won the toss and opted to bowl first, dampening spirits in the Italian camp on their World Cup debut.
The injury proved particularly significant given Madsen’s leadership role and vast experience at the top level.
At 42, the captain was playing his first ICC tournament for Italy and was expected to be a guiding presence both on and off the field. His absence left a leadership vacuum, with Harry Manenti taking over captaincy duties for the remainder of Scotland’s innings.
The injury occurred during a strong attacking shot from Scotland opener George Munsey, who pulled a short delivery towards the leg side.
Madsen, positioned in the deep, attempted to cut off the boundary but fell heavily on his shoulder as the ball crossed the rope.
Despite the setback, Italy entered the T20 World Cup with confidence following impressive performances in recent months, including a notable win over Scotland in the Europe Qualifier and encouraging warm-up victories against Canada and the UAE.
However, losing their captain early in the tournament presents a major challenge as they look ahead to upcoming matches against Nepal, England, and West Indies.
