147/10 (18.5)
CR : 7.81
182/5 (20.0)
CR : 9.10
West Indies won by 35 runs π
Player of the Match
Shimron Hetmyer
64(36)
6:35 PM IST, Local Time: A statement win from the 2016 champions, West Indies. They hammer Scotland by 35 runs to start their campaign on a positive note. There was a slight scare when the start was slow from the Windies but they went hell for leather in the second half of their innings to get to a commanding total of 182/5. Scotland gave it their all but fell short by 35 runs in the end.
Earlier in the game, Scotland won the toss and opted to bowl first. They started brilliantly, keeping the Windies openers in check. After 10 overs, West Indies were 66/2. They added 116 in the last 10 overs.
Hetmyer top-scored with a knock of 64 off 36. Rovman Powell (24 off 14) and Sherfane Rutherford (26 off 13) chipped in with fine cameos towards the end.
Brad Currie picked up two wickets and was the pick of the bowlers. Safyaan Sharif, Oliver Davidson and Michael Leask all chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply, Scotland lost three wickets in the powerplay. Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce added 78 runs for the fourth wicket to give hope to the Scottish fans but once Berrington was dismissed, it all went downhill for the Men in Purple.
Romario Shephered claimed a hat-trick and got four wickets in his third over to close out the game. Scotland were eventually bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs. Shepherd finished with figures of 5/20. Jason Holder got 3, while Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie chipped in with a wicket each.
Earlier in the game, Scotland won the toss and opted to bowl first. They started brilliantly, keeping the Windies openers in check. After 10 overs, West Indies were 66/2. They added 116 in the last 10 overs.
Hetmyer top-scored with a knock of 64 off 36. Rovman Powell (24 off 14) and Sherfane Rutherford (26 off 13) chipped in with fine cameos towards the end.
Brad Currie picked up two wickets and was the pick of the bowlers. Safyaan Sharif, Oliver Davidson and Michael Leask all chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply, Scotland lost three wickets in the powerplay. Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce added 78 runs for the fourth wicket to give hope to the Scottish fans but once Berrington was dismissed, it all went downhill for the Men in Purple.
Romario Shephered claimed a hat-trick and got four wickets in his third over to close out the game. Scotland were eventually bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs. Shepherd finished with figures of 5/20. Jason Holder got 3, while Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie chipped in with a wicket each.
Best Bowling Figure for West Indies in T20Is
6/17 - Obed McCoy vs India, Basseterre, 2022
5/11 - Akeal Hosein vs Uganda, Providence, 2024
5/15 - Keemo Paul vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2018
5/20 - Romario Shepherd vs Scotland, Kolkata, 2026*
5/26 - Daren Sammy vs Zimbabwe, Port of Spain, 2010
6/17 - Obed McCoy vs India, Basseterre, 2022
5/11 - Akeal Hosein vs Uganda, Providence, 2024
5/15 - Keemo Paul vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2018
5/20 - Romario Shepherd vs Scotland, Kolkata, 2026*
5/26 - Daren Sammy vs Zimbabwe, Port of Spain, 2010
Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer (Player of the Match): "The catch (gave more pleasure) because I have been doing quite some work on my fielding but I have not got any opportunities to take any catches, especially in the last series. It might not be (the best that I have ever taken) but it is right up there.
(On his delayed arrival) Everything happens for a reason. I am not complaining. I just thank the almighty to give me the strength and helping me to get here. From when I got here, it was about putting all that behind me and focus on putting a good performance here.
(Batting on no.3) It is fun. It is something that I used to do in the beginning. Finishing is also fun. But if I had to choose, I would swing up top. It is about mindset. Batting at 3, the ball swings a bit and comes on a bit nicely. So, it is about getting in positions early.
(On Romario Shepherd) I honestly thought that he was going to get this (POTM award). He has been working hard on his bowling. So happy for him.
(On West Indies potential) I think we have the potential to be more than competitive. We can go as far as the finals. But it is about taking one game at a time and not looking too far ahead. It is about executing our plans well on the field."
(On his delayed arrival) Everything happens for a reason. I am not complaining. I just thank the almighty to give me the strength and helping me to get here. From when I got here, it was about putting all that behind me and focus on putting a good performance here.
(Batting on no.3) It is fun. It is something that I used to do in the beginning. Finishing is also fun. But if I had to choose, I would swing up top. It is about mindset. Batting at 3, the ball swings a bit and comes on a bit nicely. So, it is about getting in positions early.
(On Romario Shepherd) I honestly thought that he was going to get this (POTM award). He has been working hard on his bowling. So happy for him.
(On West Indies potential) I think we have the potential to be more than competitive. We can go as far as the finals. But it is about taking one game at a time and not looking too far ahead. It is about executing our plans well on the field."
Most Wickets for West Indies in T20Is
101* - Jason Holder
86 - Akeal Hosein
80 - Romario Shepherd*
78 - Dwayne Bravo
62 - Alzarri Joseph
101* - Jason Holder
86 - Akeal Hosein
80 - Romario Shepherd*
78 - Dwayne Bravo
62 - Alzarri Joseph
100+ Wickets in All Three Formats (Menβs Internationals)
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) - 101 in Tests, 338 in ODIs, 107 in T20Is
Tim Southee (New Zealand) - 391 in Tests, 221 in ODIs, 164 in T20Is
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 246 in Tests, 317 in ODIs, 149 in T20Is
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) - 121 in Tests, 135 in ODIs, 129 in T20Is
Jasprit Bumrah (India) - 234 in Tests, 149 in ODIs, 107 in T20Is
Jason Holder (West Indies) - 162 in Tests, 159 in ODIs, 101* in T20Is
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) - 101 in Tests, 338 in ODIs, 107 in T20Is
Tim Southee (New Zealand) - 391 in Tests, 221 in ODIs, 164 in T20Is
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 246 in Tests, 317 in ODIs, 149 in T20Is
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) - 121 in Tests, 135 in ODIs, 129 in T20Is
Jasprit Bumrah (India) - 234 in Tests, 149 in ODIs, 107 in T20Is
Jason Holder (West Indies) - 162 in Tests, 159 in ODIs, 101* in T20Is
Richie Berrington (Scotland captain): "Disappointed with the finish. After the first innings, we were confident that we could chase it, especially with the depth in batting we have. But definitely a lot of positives to be taken.
(On the decision to bowl first) As a team we have got a belief that we do it both ways. Before, the mindset was that it was a good option to bat first. But playing at the world stage, we have to ready for both.
I think we bowled well in the first half, but Hetmyer's knock turned it around. Our mindset was really positive coming into this match. Every one was up for it.
Losing two set batters (Bruce and Berrington) changed the momentum. It has been great to get a feel for the conditions here at the Eden Gardens. We can take a lot of positives from this game."
(On the decision to bowl first) As a team we have got a belief that we do it both ways. Before, the mindset was that it was a good option to bat first. But playing at the world stage, we have to ready for both.
I think we bowled well in the first half, but Hetmyer's knock turned it around. Our mindset was really positive coming into this match. Every one was up for it.
Losing two set batters (Bruce and Berrington) changed the momentum. It has been great to get a feel for the conditions here at the Eden Gardens. We can take a lot of positives from this game."
Most 6s for Scotland in T20Is
18 - Richard Berrington*
16 - George Munsey
11 - Michael Leask
18 - Richard Berrington*
16 - George Munsey
11 - Michael Leask
Shai Hope (West Indies Captain): "[On the winning start] There's no margin for error in these tournaments. Good start is what we are after.
[On the total at the halfway stage] We felt we could have got a bit more. The par score here is around 190. A bit challenging to start. Good to see the guys coming back in the middle overs and show the power we have.Good to get the win.
[On Shimron Hetmyer] Yeah, he is batting really well. Probably his 4th 40-plus score. He is scoring runs and performing for the team. Happy to see him bat.
[On shifting Hetmyer to number 3] The reality is we have had a destructive left-hander last time around. Can't say like-for-like replacement. Good to have him there as these sides have lots of left-arm bowlers in their ranks. Having him there makes us a bit more dangerous as a batting side. He is a good fielder, he can impact the game in anyway. Good to see him enjoy his cricket.
[On milestones in the bowling] Very surprising to be honest. Good to see him put his hand up. They really got a nice start. The wicket got a lot better to bat on. To pick these wickets, I think it is his second hat-trick in T20Is. Great for him, great to see him go with the ball as well."
[On the total at the halfway stage] We felt we could have got a bit more. The par score here is around 190. A bit challenging to start. Good to see the guys coming back in the middle overs and show the power we have.Good to get the win.
[On Shimron Hetmyer] Yeah, he is batting really well. Probably his 4th 40-plus score. He is scoring runs and performing for the team. Happy to see him bat.
[On shifting Hetmyer to number 3] The reality is we have had a destructive left-hander last time around. Can't say like-for-like replacement. Good to have him there as these sides have lots of left-arm bowlers in their ranks. Having him there makes us a bit more dangerous as a batting side. He is a good fielder, he can impact the game in anyway. Good to see him enjoy his cricket.
[On milestones in the bowling] Very surprising to be honest. Good to see him put his hand up. They really got a nice start. The wicket got a lot better to bat on. To pick these wickets, I think it is his second hat-trick in T20Is. Great for him, great to see him go with the ball as well."
10 years ago, West Indies scripted fairytale at the Eden Gardens. Today, at the same venue, they began their campaign for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on the perfect note, avenging their defeat against Scotland, which knocked them out of the 2022 edition.
Romario Shepherd, who picked up a hat-trick and a fifer, might tell you that it was nothing less than a fairytale either. Perhaps, so would Jason Holder, who picked hi 100th T20I wicket today.
Can they continue this good run? Can Scotland bounce back after this loss. We will find out together in the coming days.
For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of Ajay Pal Singh, Zeeshan Naiyer and Aman. Feel free to switch tabs and follow India vs the USA, which is about to get underway now. Goodbye from here.
Romario Shepherd, who picked up a hat-trick and a fifer, might tell you that it was nothing less than a fairytale either. Perhaps, so would Jason Holder, who picked hi 100th T20I wicket today.
Can they continue this good run? Can Scotland bounce back after this loss. We will find out together in the coming days.
For now, this is Darpan Tikiya signing off on the behalf of Ajay Pal Singh, Zeeshan Naiyer and Aman. Feel free to switch tabs and follow India vs the USA, which is about to get underway now. Goodbye from here.