WI vs SCO: Giant Killers Scotland Ready to Stun West Indies Again in T20 World Cup Rehearsal!

Kolkata, Feb 4, 2026 — The "Calypso Kings" are back in India, but they aren't

2026-02-04

Kolkata, Feb 4, 2026 — The "Calypso Kings" are back in India, but they aren't exactly breathing easy. As the West Indies arrive at the iconic Eden Gardens to face Scotland, the ghosts of 2022 are resurfacing.

For the Windies, this isn't just a warm-up; it's a mission to erase the memory of their shock exit at the hands of the Scots four years ago. With both teams placed in Group C alongside England, today’s clash in Kolkata is a tactical chess match that could decide the momentum of the entire tournament.

The "Scotland Scare": Why the Windies are Nervous

Scotland enters this match as a "surprise entrant" with a point to prove. Led by the experienced Richie Berrington, they’ve already shown they can handle subcontinental conditions. The inclusion of Afghan-born pacer Zainullah Ihsan has added a layer of mystery to their attack that the West Indies' power-hitters haven't faced yet.

Expert Insight: West Indies' struggle against discipline spin is well-documented. Mark Watt’s "24-yard" deliveries and Chris Greaves' variations could be the undoing of a top-heavy Windies lineup that relies too much on boundary-clearing.

The Selection Battle: Shai Hope’s New Role

The biggest talking point for the West Indies is Shai Hope’s evolution. Once considered too slow for T20s, Hope is now captaining the side and batting with a newfound aggression. However, with Johnson Charles and Brandon King breathing down his neck for the opening slot, Hope needs a big score today to silence the critics.

Head-to-Head: The Shock Reality

Metric	West Indies	Scotland
T20 World Cup Meetings	0 Wins	1 Win (2022)
Powerplay Strike Rate	142.5	131.0
Recent Form	WWLLW	WLWWW
Spin Rating (v Off-Spin)	Struggling	High Efficiency

Key Player Battles to Watch

Nicholas Pooran vs Mark Watt: Pooran is the most dangerous T20 batter in the world right now, but Watt’s defensive lines have frustrated him in the past.
Andre Russell vs Safyaan Sharif: "Dre Russ" is back, but Sharif’s ability to nail yorkers at the death will be the ultimate test of Russell's match fitness.
Shamar Joseph’s Speed: All eyes are on Shamar Joseph as he makes his T20 World Cup debut. Can his raw 150kmph pace rattle the Scottish top order?

Probable Playing XIs

West Indies (Predicted)	Scotland (Predicted)
Brandon King	George Munsey
Johnson Charles (wk)	Michael Jones
Shai Hope (c)	Brandon McMullen
Nicholas Pooran	Richie Berrington (c)
Rovman Powell	Matthew Cross (wk)
Andre Russell	Michael Leask
Romario Shepherd	Chris Greaves
Akeal Hosein	Mark Watt
Gudakesh Motie	Safyaan Sharif
Alzarri Joseph	Bradley Wheal
Shamar Joseph	Zainullah Ihsan