Kolkata, Feb 7 (NationPress) Scotland has emerged victorious at the toss, opting to bowl first against the two-time champions, West Indies, in their opening Group C match of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens on Saturday.

The West Indies return to the same venue where they claimed the Men’s T20 World Cup title back in 2016. In contrast, Scotland has made it to the World Cup after initially missing their chance at qualification last year, stepping in as a last-minute substitute for Bangladesh.

Scotland has given a T20I debut to promising left-arm spinner Oliver Davidson, who has been chosen over Chris Greaves, while pacer Brad Wheal has been excluded. “We would prefer to chase this afternoon. It's a great opportunity for us. The turnaround has been quick, but everyone is genuinely thrilled to be here. There’s a positive atmosphere within the group,” said Scotland's captain, Richie Berrington.

“Starting the tournament in India feels fantastic. It has come with its challenges, and there's been a lot of effort behind the scenes to bring us all here. However, we had an excellent week of preparation in Bengaluru. We are eager to get started,” he added.

“We had strong performances in the last World Cup, and we view this as another superb chance to showcase our capabilities on the world stage. Our team has a wealth of experience, and we are also welcoming new talent, which is quite exciting,” Berrington remarked.

Reflecting on their previous victory against the West Indies in Hobart four years ago, he said, “That was a memorable day for us. Today, we face a high-quality West Indies side, but we believe in our own strengths and hope to deliver a commendable performance.”

The West Indies, on their part, have left out Roston Chase and included both Matthew Forde and Shamar Joseph. “I haven’t won a toss in a long time. There are great memories associated with this match. Unfortunately, I wasn’t present for that victory, but we have experienced players who can guide us,” stated captain Shai Hope.

When asked about his confidence in replicating the 2016 triumph, Hope said, “You must have that belief every time you step onto the field. It is crucial for us to maintain confidence and faith in ourselves. I am optimistic that we can execute our game plan effectively today and kick off our campaign on a winning note.”

He also mentioned that Shimron Hetmyer is ready to participate in Kolkata. “Though his arrival was slightly delayed, he is eager to play. It’s always a privilege to lead the West Indies. Representing the region is a rewarding experience. Personally, I’m glad to contribute across all formats,” he said.

Playing XIs

Scotland: George Munsey, Matthew Cross (wk), Brandon McMullen, Michael Jones, Tom Bruce, Richie Berrington (captain), Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Mark Watt, Brad Currie, and Safyaan Sharif.

West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (captain & wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, and Shamar Joseph.