The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off with an enormous Group C conflict because the two-time champions, West Indies, tackle Scotland on the iconic Eden Gardens. This match carries important weight for the Caribbean facet, who need to reclaim their standing as T20 powerhouses on the very venue the place they famously received their second title in 2016. For Scotland, who entered the match as a late substitute for Bangladesh, it is a golden alternative to repeat their historic upset over the Windies from the 2022 version.
WI vs SCO, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Particulars
- Date and Time: February 7 (Saturday); 3:00 pm IST / 9:30 am GMT
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Head-to-Head Report (T20Is):
Matches performed: 1 | Scotland received: 1 | West Indies received: 0
Eden Gardens Pitch Report
Eden Gardens is world-renowned for its lightning-fast outfield and a pitch that typically favors stroke-play. The floor is ready with black cotton soil, which generally supplies a real bounce and good tempo early within the recreation. Nevertheless, because the match progresses, the monitor can decelerate barely, bringing high quality spinners like Gudakesh Motie and Mark Watt into the equation. Traditionally, the chasing staff has a major benefit right here (successful 8 out of 13 T20Is), primarily because of the dew issue that makes the ball troublesome to grip for bowlers within the night. The captain successful the toss will virtually actually elect to bowl first.
Crew dynamics and key gamers
West Indies: Underneath the management of Shai Hope, the Windies boast a lineup crammed with world T20 superstars. Whereas their latest kind has been blended, shedding a collection to South Africa and a warm-up to Afghanistan, their uncooked energy stays unmatched. Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell are the pillars of the center order, whereas Shamar Joseph supplies the X-factor with the ball. Their technique will revolve round maximizing the Powerplay and utilizing their deep batting reservoir to overpower the Scottish assault.
Scotland: Led by the veteran Richie Berrington, Scotland are a staff recognized for tactical self-discipline. Regardless of shedding their warm-up fixtures to Afghanistan and Namibia, they get pleasure from enjoying with ‘nothing to lose.’ George Munsey stays their most harmful weapon on the high of the order, whereas Brandon McMullen has proven he can compete with one of the best. Their bowling depends closely on the guile of left-arm spinner Mark Watt, who will likely be essential in limiting the heavy-hitting West Indians on the massive Kolkata boundaries.
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Squads:
West Indies: Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd
Scotland: 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, Bradley Wheal. (Reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis. Non-travelling reserves: Mackenzie Jones, Chris McBride, Charlie Tear)
WI vs SCO, T20 World Cup 2026: Right this moment’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- West Indies wins the toss and bowls first
- Scotland powerplay rating: 40-45 (6 overs)
- Scotland complete rating: 145-160
Case 2:
- Scotland wins the toss and bowls first
- West Indies powerplay rating: 55-65 (6 overs)
- West Indies complete rating: 185-200
Match end result: West Indies to win the competition.
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