West Indies and Scotland are ready to face each other in the 2nd match of Group C in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday, February 07. This match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM IST. Stay tuned with our WI vs SCO prediction, team preview, pitch report, player stats and winner prediction ahead of this exciting contest.
West Indies will begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign aiming to go one step further than last time. They were very strong in the previous edition, especially at home, where their powerful batting helped them dominate the group stage before missing out on the semifinals. As two-time T20 World Cup winners, West Indies will be confident with a settled squad and experienced leaders.
On the other hand, Scotland come in as a dangerous underdog. They have troubled big teams in recent tournaments and even beat West Indies in the 2022 World Cup. After strong performances in recent ICC events, Scotland will be eager to prove that their rise is real and make a strong impact in this match.
Head-to-Head Record: Till now, just one T20 match has been played between these two sides, in which Scotland performed better and won the game, while West Indies failed to register a win.
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2026: SWOT Analysis of India – Are the Men in Blue True Title Favourites?
West Indies Preview
West Indies enter this T20 World Cup with a strong and well-balanced squad, known for their power and depth in the T20 format. Led by Shai Hope and backed by players who have experience playing in Indian conditions, they will look to start the tournament positively. However, their recent T20I results have been mixed. They dominated Bangladesh with a clean sweep but struggled away from home, losing series in New Zealand, the UAE against Afghanistan, and South Africa. These performances show that while West Indies have the ability to be very strong.
Batting is the biggest strength of West Indies. Shai Hope has scored 825 runs in 36 T20 matches at a strike rate of 137.9, providing stability at the top. Rovman Powell adds power in the middle order, scoring 533 runs in 22 T20 matches in 2024 at a strike rate of 135.2. Shimron Hetmyer brings aggression, with 6000+ T20 runs at a strike rate above 140, and four scores of 40+ in his last six T20I innings. Support from Johnson Charles, Romario Shepherd, and Roston Chase gives West Indies strong batting depth.
Akeal Hosein will lead the bowling attack. The left-arm spinner has taken 59 wickets in 62 T20 innings and also recorded a 5-wicket haul in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Gudakesh Motie has picked up 36 wickets in 39 T20 matches and is effective in the middle overs. Jason Holder adds experience with 97 T20I wickets, while Shamar Joseph provides pace and aggression. Overall, West Indies have a well-rounded bowling unit for all phases of the game.
Tip
| Player | Tip | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Hope | Over 28.5 Runs | 1.85 |
Shai Hope is West Indies’ most reliable top-order batter with 825 T20I runs at a strike rate close to 138. His stability and experience at the crease make him a strong run-scoring pick once again.
Scotland Preview
Scotland have performed well in recent global tournaments and regularly challenged stronger teams. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, they beat Namibia and Oman, had a washout against England, and narrowly missed the Super Eight after a close loss to Australia. They finished with just one defeat in a tough group. Entering the 2026 edition as a late replacement, Scotland remain a settled side under captain Richie Berrington, with most players having strong experience in ICC events.
In batting, George Munsey is the key opener. He has scored 1,460 runs in 54 T20 matches with 1 century and 8 fifties and has delivered important World Cup performances. Captain Richie Berrington anchors the middle order with 2,000+ T20I runs and is reliable in pressure situations. Brandon McMullen has become a major impact player, scoring 497 runs in 16 T20 matches, while Michael Leask adds hitting power down the order.
Scotland’s bowling is based on control and consistency. Left-arm spinner Mark Watt has taken 89 wickets in 76 T20 matches and is their main wicket-taker. Safyaan Sharif leads the pace attack with 53 wickets in 50 T20 matches, handling both the new ball and death overs. Michael Leask also contributes with the ball, giving Scotland a balanced and effective bowling unit.
Tip
| Player | Tip | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| George Munsey | Over 24.5 Runs | 1.85 |
George Munsey is Scotland’s key opener with 1,460 T20 runs and multiple World Cup contributions. If he gets set early, his power-hitting ability can trouble any bowling attack, making him a strong pick to cross this line.
WI vs SCO Probable Playing XI
West Indies: Shai Hope (C & WK), Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein
Scotland: Michael Jones, Mark Watt, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (C), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (WK), Oliver Davidson, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Safyaan Sharif, Zainullah Ihsan.
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2026: SWOT Analysis of West Indies – Can Power-Hitting Once Again Rule the World?
WI vs SCO Pitch Report
The pitch at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is usually good for batting, with some help for bowlers early in the match. The ball comes onto the bat well once it gets a bit older, which helps batters play their shots freely. Fast bowlers may get some movement with the new ball, but scoring becomes easier as the pitch settles. The quick outfield and true surface can give Scotland confidence if their batters handle the West Indies bowlers well. With dew likely in the second innings, teams winning the toss may choose to bowl first.
The weather on Saturday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata is expected to be sunny, around 26°C, with 0% chance of rain, low 33% humidity, and light winds near 13 km/h.
Venue T20I Statistics
| Stats | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 13 |
| Matches won batting first | 5 |
| Matches won bowling first | 8 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 153 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 137 |
| Highest total recorded | 201/5 (20 Ovs) – PAK vs BAN |
| Lowest total recorded | 70/10 (15.4 Ovs) – BAN vs NZ |
| Highest score chased | 162/4 (18.5 Ovs) – IND vs WI |
| Lowest score defended | 186/5 (20 Ovs) – IND vs WI |
WI vs SCO Winner Prediction
The West Indies team has a strong and balanced T20 squad with match-winners in both batting and bowling. Many of their players are familiar with Indian conditions because of their experience in major leagues, which gives them an extra advantage. When their batting gets going, they can put any team under pressure, and their all-round strength makes them a tough side to beat in a 20-over match. Because of this overall quality and depth, West Indies start as the favourites.
On the other hand, Scotland do not get many chances to play against top international teams, which can be a challenge against a side like West Indies. Still, they come in with confidence, having a settled team and past experience of upsetting strong opponents on the big stage. Players like Munsey, Berrington, and McMullen give them hope, and if they play smart cricket, they can make things competitive.
Our Prediction: West Indies
T20 World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Details
| Region | Where to Watch |
|---|---|
| India | Star Sports, Jio Hotstar |
| Sri Lanka | ThePapare, Dialog Play |
| Pakistan | Myco, Tamasha, Tapmad, ARY Zapp |
| Afghanistan | AF Sports |
| Bangladesh | TSM (via Rabbithole) |
| North America | Willow |
| Middle East & North Africa | E& (selected matches), ICC.tv |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports, ICC.tv |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport, ICC.tv |
| New Zealand | Sky TV NZ , ICC.tv |
| Australia, Europe, Caribbean, SE Asia, Pacific Islands, South America | ICC.tv |
Code: TOPBK
