Scotland Won Toss and Chose to Field: Official Playing XI vs West Indies at Eden Gardens

The T20 World Cup 2026 Group C action kicks off at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, as Scotland captain Richie Berrington won the toss and elected to field first against West Indies on February 07, 2026. This crucial tactical decision at the 2:30 PM day-night encounter could prove pivotal as dew factor typically favors teams chasing at this historic venue. Both teams have announced their official playing XIs, setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive clash between Caribbean power and Scottish grit.

Scotland’s decision to chase reflects confidence in their batting lineup and recognition of Eden Gardens’ chasing-friendly conditions during evening matches. This Group C opener at the T20 World Cup 2026 carries enormous significance as both teams aim to establish early dominance in what could be a fiercely competitive group.

Toss Result & Match Details

Why Scotland Chose to Field First

Dew Factor Advantage: Eden Gardens’ evening matches typically see significant dew settling in during the second innings, making bowling extremely difficult and batting considerably easier. Scotland’s decision banks on this natural advantage.

Chasing Strength: Scotland has shown confidence chasing targets in recent T20Is, with their opening pair of George Munsey and Michael Jones capable of aggressive powerplay starts.

Psychological Edge: Knowing the exact target removes uncertainty and allows precise calculation of required run rates throughout the chase.

Pitch Conditions: The Eden Gardens surface tends to slow down slightly in first innings before dew freshens it up for chasers, making stroke-play easier under lights.

West Indies Pressure: Forcing West Indies to set a target puts pressure on their inconsistent batting lineup to post a defendable total without knowing what constitutes “enough.”

The tournament schedule shows this as the second match of the day, following the thrilling Pakistan vs Netherlands encounter that went down to the final over.

West Indies Official Playing XI

West Indies have fielded their strongest possible combination, blending explosive batting with experienced bowling. Here’s their complete lineup:

West Indies Playing XI:

1. Brandon King (Opening Batter) – Aggressive stroke-player who can dominate powerplay overs
2. Evin Lewis (Opening Batter) – Left-handed power-hitter known for explosive starts
3. Shimron Hetmyer (Middle-Order Batter) – The finisher with incredible strike rate and six-hitting ability
4. Nicholas Pooran (Wicketkeeper-Batter) – Dynamic keeper who accelerates in middle overs
5. Rovman Powell (Captain, All-rounder) – Leading from the front with both bat and ball
6. Jason Holder (All-rounder) – Experienced campaigner providing death bowling and lower-order hitting
7. Romario Shepherd (All-rounder) – Hard-hitting all-rounder offering batting depth
8. Akeal Hosein (Spinner) – Left-arm spinner who controls powerplay and middle overs
9. Matthew Forde (Fast Bowler) – Strike bowler capable of early breakthroughs
10. Alzarri Joseph (Fast Bowler) – Express pace and wicket-taking threat
11. Gudakesh Motie (Spinner) – Left-arm orthodox spinner for middle-overs control

Team Balance: West Indies have gone with 3 genuine fast bowlers (Forde, Joseph, Shepherd), 2 specialist spinners (Hosein, Motie), and Holder as the fifth bowling option. This gives them 6 genuine batting options with depth extending to number 8.

Scotland Official Playing XI

Scotland has selected a balanced XI that reflects their growing confidence as a competitive T20 nation. Their lineup combines aggressive batting with disciplined bowling:

Scotland Playing XI:

1. George Munsey (Opening Batter) – Scotland’s most explosive batter with match-winning ability
2. Michael Jones (Opening Batter) – Provides stability and calculated aggression at the top
3. Brandon McMullen (Batting All-rounder) – Young talent offering both batting firepower and bowling options
4. Richie Berrington (Captain, Top-Order Batter) – Experienced leader who anchors innings
5. Matthew Cross (Wicketkeeper-Batter) – Reliable keeper with ability to accelerate when needed
6. Michael Leask (All-rounder) – Crucial middle-overs bowler and powerful lower-order hitter
7. Chris Greaves (All-rounder) – Leg-spinner who provides wicket-taking option and batting depth
8. Mark Watt (Spinner) – Left-arm orthodox spinner and Scotland’s primary spin weapon
9. Safyaan Sharif (Fast Bowler) – Experienced seamer who bowls in all phases
10. Brad Wheal (Fast Bowler) – Pace and bounce provider, excellent death bowler
11. Brad Currie (Fast Bowler) – Left-arm seamer offering variety in attack

Team Balance: Scotland’s XI features 3 specialist fast bowlers (Sharif, Wheal, Currie), 2 specialist spinners (Watt, Greaves), and 2 genuine all-rounders (McMullen, Leask). This provides 6 bowling options and batting depth until number 8.

Head-to-Head Context

Scotland’s historic victory in their last encounter gives them genuine belief that they can compete with and beat Caribbean giants. West Indies, meanwhile, carry the burden of that defeat and pressure to prove it was an anomaly. The Group C standings will start taking shape after this crucial opener.

Key Player Battles to Watch

George Munsey vs Matthew Forde: Scotland’s explosive opener against West Indies’ new-ball wicket-taker could set the tone for the entire chase.

Shimron Hetmyer vs Mark Watt: The explosive finisher against Scotland’s primary spinner represents the potential match-defining contest in middle overs.

Brandon McMullen vs Akeal Hosein: Young Scottish all-rounder’s ability to handle West Indies’ economical left-arm spinner could determine chase success.

Michael Leask vs Rovman Powell: Battle of the all-rounders who provide crucial balance to their respective teams.

Venue Analysis: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Stadium Specifications: Capacity: Approximately 68,000 spectators Pitch nature: Good for batting, assists spinners in second half Average first innings T20 score: 165-175 Chasing success rate: 58% (favorable for teams batting second)

Day-Night Dynamics: The 2:30 PM start means the first innings will be played in bright sunshine before lights take over. Dew typically arrives around the 15-over mark of the second innings, making it increasingly difficult for bowlers to grip the ball. This heavily influenced Scotland’s decision to chase.

Historical Context: Eden Gardens has witnessed numerous memorable T20 encounters, with its large boundaries testing power-hitters while rewarding placement and running between wickets. Spinners typically enjoy success here, making West Indies’ twin spin attack of Hosein and Motie potentially decisive. Track all venue statistics and match results on the points table page as the tournament progresses.

Tactical Implications of Toss Decision

For West Indies: They must overcome the disadvantage of batting first in dew conditions. Their strategy will likely involve: Aggressive powerplay batting to build early momentum Quick scoring between overs 7-15 to post 170+ total Saving their best death bowlers (Joseph, Holder) for final overs Hoping their pace attack can exploit early moisture before dew sets in

For Scotland: Their chase strategy should include: Solid powerplay foundation without losing early wickets Calculated acceleration through middle overs Using dew advantage to attack in final 5 overs Keeping wickets in hand for late push if required

Recent Form Comparison

West Indies Last 5 T20Is: L-W-L-L-W (Inconsistent but capable of brilliance) Scotland Last 5 T20Is: W-A-W-L-L (Mixed results but competitive)

Both teams enter with question marks over consistency, making this match genuinely unpredictable. West Indies possess superior firepower on paper, but Scotland’s disciplined approach and recent victory over them levels the playing field.

Tournament Context & Importance

This Group C opener carries massive implications for both teams’ knockout aspirations. With only top teams progressing from each group, starting with a victory provides crucial momentum and psychological advantage. Net run rate could become decisive in tight qualification scenarios, meaning both teams will look to win convincingly rather than scrape through. Follow comprehensive team profiles and statistics for in-depth analysis throughout the tournament.

Weather & Playing Conditions

Weather Forecast: Clear skies with temperatures around 26°C during match hours Humidity: Moderate to high, increasing as evening progresses Wind: Light breeze unlikely to significantly impact play Dew Factor: Expected to be significant from 4:00 PM onwards

Perfect weather conditions mean both teams will play on a clean slate without rain interruptions or Duckworth-Lewis complications.

What to Expect

First Innings (West Indies Batting): Expect aggressive intent from Brandon King and Evin Lewis in the powerplay. If they provide a solid platform, Hetmyer and Pooran can launch devastating assaults in death overs. Scotland’s spinners (Watt and Greaves) will be crucial in controlling middle overs and preventing West Indies from reaching 180+.

Second Innings (Scotland Chasing): Munsey and Jones must provide stability without getting bogged down. The middle order (Berrington, McMullen, Cross) needs to maintain momentum before Leask provides late acceleration if needed. Dew will make batting easier, but West Indies’ pace attack can still cause damage if Scotland loses early wickets.

Expert Predictions

Predicted First Innings Score: 165-175 (West Indies) Predicted Winning Team: Slight edge to team batting second (Scotland) Key Factor: Dew impact and Scotland’s ability to handle West Indies’ pace attack

FAQs: Scotland vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026

Q1: Who won the toss in Scotland vs West Indies match? Scotland captain Richie Berrington won the toss and elected to field first, backing their team to chase under dew conditions at Eden Gardens.

Q2: What is the official playing XI for West Indies? West Indies XI: King, Lewis, Hetmyer, Pooran (wk), Powell (c), Holder, Shepherd, Hosein, Forde, Joseph, Motie.

Q3: What is Scotland’s official playing XI? Scotland XI: Munsey, Jones, McMullen, Berrington (c), Cross (wk), Leask, Greaves, Watt, Sharif, Wheal, Currie.

Q4: Why did Scotland choose to field first? Scotland opted to chase due to Eden Gardens’ dew factor in evening matches, which significantly helps teams batting second by making ball wet and difficult to grip for bowlers.

Q5: What time does the match start? The match begins at 2:30 PM IST (9:00 AM GMT) on February 07, 2026, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Q6: What was the result of their last meeting? Scotland defeated West Indies by 42 runs in the T20 World Cup 2022, giving them psychological advantage entering this encounter.

Conclusion: Stage Set for Group C Thriller

With Scotland winning the toss and choosing to field, both teams’ official playing XIs confirmed, and perfect weather conditions awaiting, Eden Gardens is primed for an explosive Group C opener. West Indies carry the burden of expectations and pressure to avenge their 2022 defeat, while Scotland enters as dangerous underdogs with genuine belief they can pull off another upset. The tactical battle between Berrington and Powell, combined with individual matchups like Munsey vs Forde and Hetmyer vs Watt, promises entertainment for 68,000 fans at the venue and millions watching worldwide. Stay updated with live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and expert analysis at the T20 World Cup 2026 news section as this fascinating contest unfolds!