Joe Burns Dropped as Italy Name New Captain for T20 World Cup 2026

Former Australia batter Joe Burns, who captained Italy to their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualification, has been left out of the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The Italian Cricket Federation confirmed the decision on Tuesday, marking a significant leadership shift ahead of the global tournament.

Burns’ omission comes months after he led Italy to a historic qualification during the European qualifiers in the Netherlands. Despite his pivotal role, federation officials said talks regarding his availability did not result in a final agreement, prompting the selectors to move in a different direction.

In a major development, Wayne Madsen has been appointed as the new captain of Italy’s men’s T20 team. The experienced batter will lead the side on their upcoming T20I tour of Ireland and at the World Cup, replacing Burns as skipper. The federation described the change as a step towards ensuring stability, continuity and long-term balance within the squad.

Italy’s cricket board acknowledged Joe Burns’ contribution, crediting him for guiding the team through a landmark qualification campaign that secured the country’s first-ever appearance at a Men’s T20 World Cup. Burns represented Italy across multiple international tournaments and played a key role in elevating the team’s global profile.

However, officials stressed that preparations for a World Cup debut required firm organisational clarity. Internal technical assessments identified Madsen as the most suitable leader for the next phase of Italy’s cricketing journey, particularly with the pressure of competing against elite international sides.

Italy will open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Bangladesh in Kolkata on February 9, a historic moment for the emerging cricket nation. With leadership settled and preparations underway, the federation said its focus remains firmly on ensuring a smooth build-up to Italy’s first appearance on cricket’s biggest stage.