Sat Feb 07 10:00:00 UTC 2026: ### Scotland Elects to Bowl First Against West Indies in T20 World Cup Opener
The Story:
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has commenced with Scotland facing West Indies in their opening match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on February 7, 2026. Scotland won the toss and elected to bowl first. Scotland’s captain, Richie Berrington, expressed positive sentiments about his team’s preparation and past performances. West Indies captain, Shai Hope, stated they would have also preferred to bowl first, despite a string of lost tosses, and emphasized the importance of aiming for victory in every match.
Key Points:
* The second match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is between Scotland and West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on February 7, 2026.
* Scotland won the toss and chose to bowl first.
* Richie Berrington, Scotland’s captain, highlighted the team’s positive mindset and preparation.
* Shai Hope, West Indies’ captain, mentioned his team’s eagerness to win and potential preference to bowl first as well.
* The Scotland playing eleven includes: George Munsey, Matthew Cross, Brandon McMullen, Michael Jones, Tom Bruce, Richie Berrington, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Mark Watt, Brad Currie, and Safyaan Sharif.
* The West Indies playing eleven includes: Brandon King, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, and Shamar Joseph.
* The first match of the tournament was between Pakistan and the Netherlands, with Pakistan winning by 3 wickets.
Key Takeaways:
* Scotland’s decision to bowl first indicates a belief in their bowling attack and potentially an assessment of favorable conditions for bowlers at Eden Gardens.
* Both captains acknowledge the importance of a positive mindset and the drive to win in a major tournament.
* The composition of both teams reflects a blend of experienced players and emerging talents.