Scotland face a World Cup challenge they never planned for

A little over a week ago, Scotland were building up toward an ODI tri-series in Namibia in late March. An eleventh-hour call-up to the T20 World Cup, following Bangladesh's withdrawal, pulled them out of winter training and onto a plane to India. Without this, their next T20 assignment would have been a sub-regional Qualifier in Copenhagen next summer, after a fourth-place finish in the recent European Finals left them at the bottom of the qualifying ladder.

This last-minute reprieve catches Scotland in a rebuilding phase, blooding youngsters with mixed success in T20s under new head coach Owen Dawkins, who is just a few weeks into the job. However, the core of the side, led by veteran skipper Richie Berrington, are no strangers to the big stage—nine of the travelling party were part of the 2021 run to the Super 12s. While described by some as a "free hit," Scotland will be dead set on making it count.

The squad

Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross (wk), George Munsey, Michael Jones, Tom Bruce, Brandon McMullen, Finlay McCreath, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Currie, Oliver Davidson, Zainullah Ihsan, Bradley Wheal.

Travelling reserves: Jasper Davidson, Jack Jarvis.

Given the circumstances, Scotland's hastily-assembled squad reflects who's available at short notice, staying close to their established roster. Scott Currie is ineligible due to appearing on an England team sheet, while Chris Sole's professional commitments take priority. New coach Owen Dawkins shows faith in youngsters he worked with previously: Finlay McCreath, Oliver Davidson, and uncapped Zainullah Ihsan all make the fifteen.

Left-arm spinner Oliver Davidson pushes his brother Jasper to the reserves, likely due to conditions, bolstering a spin section led by Mark Watt alongside off-spinner Michael Leask and leg-spinner Chris Greaves. Ihsan will compete with Currie, Wheal, and Sharif for a seamer's slot, while the returning Michael Jones and former Black Cap Tom Bruce strengthen the batting.

The road to the World Cup

CEO Trudy Lindblade summed it up: "Not the way we wanted to go to a World Cup," as Scotland were invited as the highest-ranked non-qualifier. This came after a shock defeat to Jersey in a last-ball thriller at the European regional finals last summer, leaving Scotland fourth and facing relegation to Sub-regionals.

Scotland have played little T20 this cycle and no T20I outside Europe since the last World Cup. After a heavy home series loss to Australia post-tournament, they went nine months without a T20I. A trilateral series with the Netherlands and Nepal preceded the European Qualifier, where defeats to Italy and Jersey sealed their fourth-place finish. While events have offered an escape route, it's too late for significant preparatory tours to turn form around.

Last five T20Is: L-W-W-L-L

Runs on the board is Scotland's best route to victory. In their last 35 games, they've won thirteen batting first but only two chasing. Adding Jones and Bruce to an already strong top five reinforces that strength, with Leask and Watt providing batting threats down the order. However, they've yet to find a formula to reliably chase big scores, and a lack of recent subcontinent experience may hurt them. Key players George Munsey and Michael Leask failed with the bat in the Netherlands, contributing to their qualifier failure; they need to fire in India to advance.

Who can bend a match in 10 balls

Scotland need a difference-maker at the death, and newcomer Tom Bruce could be the answer. The Central Districts skipper has been in fine form at four in the Super Smash and is the only Scotland batter not coming into the tournament cold.

Three matches at Eden Gardens first up might help Scotland's undercooked batting, but the seam attack may have reason to worry. Facing West Indies first brings back happy memories of 2022; an upset there would position them well for progression. If they're still in contention by their final group match against Nepal in Mumbai, the venue-switch could favour Nepal, but overall Scotland have a fairly forgiving itinerary.

Scotland know not to take Nepal or Italy lightly after losses to both last summer. An upset in either full-member fixture could be followed by a rapid come-down. Nepal, playing all their games at the same ground, are well-placed to ambush Scotland at Wankhede.

What a good World Cup looks like

While simply being there is a success, Scotland haven't confirmed if this elevation grants a bye to regional finals next cycle, risking a drop to sub-regionals if they miss the Super 8s. Anything but a winless run would beat watching from home, and a win over the Auld Enemy (England) would be especially sweet.