West Indies begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a tricky opener against Scotland on February 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. On paper, the two-time champions look favourites, but history says this won’t be a walk in the park — Scotland stunned the Windies the last time these sides met at a World Cup. With pride, points and momentum at stake, Match No. 2 promises early drama.
The afternoon clash starts at 3:00 PM IST and could set the tone for both teams’ group-stage journey.
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Match Details at a Glance
- Date: Saturday, February 7
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Time: 3:00 PM IST
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar app (subscription required)
West Indies look to reset, Scotland eye another upset
West Indies arrive with a balanced squad and fresh leadership under Shai Hope. The Caribbean side has plenty of firepower in the batting order, but consistency has been their biggest challenge in recent ICC events. A strong start here could change that narrative.
Scotland, meanwhile, carry the underdog tag comfortably. They’ve built a reputation for punching above their weight in global tournaments. Their 42-run win over the Windies in the 2022 edition still lingers — and they’ll draw confidence from that memory.
Probable Playing XIs
West Indies:
Shai Hope (c), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales
Scotland:
George Munsey, Matthew Cross, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Tom Bruce, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Currie, Bradley Wheal
Key Battles to Watch
Shai Hope vs Safyaan Sharif
Hope has quietly rediscovered form across T20 leagues and looks sharper at the top. Sharif’s experience with the new ball could test him early.
Shimron Hetmyer vs Michael Leask
Hetmyer loves taking on spin, but Leask’s clever variations could slow him down in the middle overs.
Sherfane Rutherford vs Bradley Currie
Rutherford has become the Windies’ middle-order anchor. Currie’s short-pitch bowling might be Scotland’s best bet to unsettle him.
George Munsey vs Jayden Seales
Munsey’s aggressive starts can flip games quickly. Seales with the new ball will be tasked with keeping him quiet.
Pitch Report: Eden Gardens
Kolkata usually serves up a batting-friendly surface, and this one looks no different. Expect good bounce and quick value for shots square of the wicket. Totals above 180 are common here.
Spinners could come into play as the game progresses, especially during the middle overs. Fast bowlers may need to rely more on cutters and variations than raw pace.
In short: batters will enjoy themselves, but disciplined bowling can still make a difference.
Weather Forecast
Conditions look clear for a full game. Day temperatures are expected around 28°C before cooling in the evening. Humidity will be high, typical for Kolkata, but there’s no rain threat. Fans can expect uninterrupted cricket.
Head-to-Head Record
Interestingly, these sides have met only once in T20Is.
- Matches: 1
- West Indies: 0 wins
- Scotland: 1 win
That lone contest came at the 2022 T20 World Cup, where Scotland shocked the Caribbean side. It’s a small sample, but enough to keep things interesting.
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Key Players
West Indies: Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie
Scotland: George Munsey, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves
Free Live Streaming & Telecast Details
Indian viewers can catch the match live on the Star Sports Network. Online streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app with an active subscription.
Final Word
For West Indies, this is about starting strong and avoiding another early stumble. For Scotland, it’s a chance to repeat history and shake up the group again.
Expect fearless batting, a lively Eden Gardens crowd, and a game that could go deeper than most predict. If the tournament needed an early upset story, this fixture has all the ingredients.
