🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M2: SCO vs WI at Kolkata on 07/02/26🏏

🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: M2: Scotland vs West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 07/02/26 at 3:00PM IST🏏

Scotland seek to seize their reprieve in West Indies opener

After Bangladesh withdrawal, two-week scramble for tournament culminates in Kolkata on Saturday

The Caribbean side are two-time T20 World Cup champions, having lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2016. They finished fifth in the previous edition, which was held in home conditions. However, with a somewhat revamped squad, West Indies will look to mount a strong challenge this time and aim for a third title. Shai Hope will lead the side, with experienced campaigners such as Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shamar Joseph and Romario Shepherd forming the core of the team.

Scotland secured a late entry into the marquee event after replacing Bangladesh. This will be their seventh appearance in the T20 World Cup, where they have managed seven wins overall. Led by Richie Berrington, Scotland will be eager to make an impact, with George Munsey, Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen and Mark Watt among the key players in their squad.

Team news: Hetmyer available after late arrival

Scotland have a full 15-man squad fit and available - no mean feat at such short notice - and have a settled batting line-up, but have a decision to make around their bowling attack. Legspinner Chris Greaves was expensive in both warm-up games, and could make way to enable left-arm swing bowler Brad Currie to take the new ball.

Scotland (possible): 1 George Munsey, 2 Michael Jones, 3 Brandon McMullen, 4 Richie Berrington (capt), 5 Tom Bruce, 6 Matt Cross (wk), 7 Michael Leask, 8 Chris Greaves, 9 Mark Watt, 10 Brad Wheal, 11 Safyaan Sharif

Shimron Hetmyer's arrival in India was delayed by what Cricket West Indies described as a "minor visa issue" but he landed in Kolkata on Friday afternoon. He is officially available to play on Saturday, but the out-of-form Johnson Charles could deputise at No. 3 if West Indies decide he is not ready. Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph and Matthew Forde are competing for a single spot in the seam attack.

West Indies (possible): 1 Shai Hope (capt/wk), 2 Brandon King, 3 Shimron Hetmyer/Johnson Charles, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Jayden Seales.

Eden Gardens, Kolkata Pitch Report

The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata offers a balanced surface for both batters and bowlers. However, as the match progresses, it tends to slow down, which can bring spinners into play. That said, batters can still enjoy good value for shots, with scores often approaching the 200-run mark. Pacers will need to be disciplined with their line and length, as any error is likely to be punished.

Probable Best Batter: Shimron Hetmyer

Left-handed batter Shimron Hetmyer could be the key player for West Indies in their opening clash of the T20 World Cup. In recent outings, he has scored 260 runs across his last five matches, underlining his strong form. Overall, Hetmyer has amassed 1,345 runs in 75 T20 matches, including seven half-centuries. He is known for his ability to take the game away from the opposition from the outset, and is also highly flexible, capable of batting in multiple positions in the order.

Probable Best Bowler: Jason Holder

West Indies allrounder Jason Holder could be the standout bowler in this match. Although he has not taken many wickets in recent T20Is, the right-arm pacer has been effective in controlling runs. Overall, Holder has claimed 98 wickets in 89 T20Is at an economy rate of 8.68.

Today's Match Prediction: West Indies to win the match

Win Probability: West Indies 70% and Scotland 30%

Disclaimer

The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

Stats and trivia

• Jason Holder needs two wickets to reach 100 T20I wickets. He would be the 35th bowler to reach that landmark in men's T20Is, but the first West Indies player.
• Scotland's 42-run win over West Indies at the 2022 World Cup was the teams' only previous meeting in T20Is.
• Shai Hope scored 1733 runs in all T20 cricket last year. Only Nicholas Pooran (1918) and Sahibzada Farhan (1847) scored more.
• Holder and Johnson Charles were both squad members when West Indies won the 2016 T20 World Cup in India. Daren Sammy, their head coach, was captain.
• This is the second time that Scotland have appeared at a T20 World Cup despite missing out on qualification. They were invited to the 2009 edition in England when Zimbabwe withdrew.
• Scotland only finished fourth in the European qualifiers for this tournament, below Jersey, but were invited to replace Bangladesh by virtue of their world ranking.

Quotes

"We've very sympathetic towards the Bangladeshi players, but we still massively believe that we should be here. We had a blip in the summer… There's no second-guessing our invite into this tournament. We're all ready to go."

Scotland spinner Mark Watt has no doubt that his side deserve their last-minute opportunity.

""The people back home, they're watching us, they're glued to the television sometimes [at] 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. So whatever we try to do, we try to make sure we make them proud by putting in good performances."

West Indies captain Shai Hope wants to reward fans for their early wake-ups.

Thank you Raji, for the thread and for tagging me.

Best wishes to both the teams.

Long viewed as their most preferred format, West Indies have had a bumpy ride in T20Is since the last edition of the World Cup which they co-hosted with USA. They lost Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell to retirement besides embracing a captaincy switch that saw Shai Hope take over the reins in this period. But while the two-time champions have shown signs of being competitive in their most recent endeavours, a lot has to go right if they are to lift a third Men's T20 World Cup crown in the subcontinent.