England stand on the edge of elimination at the T20 World Cup 2026 after a shocking defeat to West Indies left them needing victory over Scotland in Kolkata on Saturday night.
Phil Salt delivered a defiant message on Friday: play with “chests out” or go home.
The opening batter insisted the champions still believe they are unbeatable when they find their true selves, despite two shaky displays so far in India.
“When we’re at our best, nobody can live with us,” Salt said. “We have had two games where we haven’t been at our best. That’s it. Two. Not ten. The good news is the tournament is still in front of us.”
England arrived in India with just one loss in their previous 11 T20Is. That proud record now feels distant after a nervy chase against Nepal and a comprehensive beating by West Indies on Wednesday.
The equation is brutally simple: lose to Scotland and England are almost certainly out at the group stage.
Scotland, meanwhile, have momentum. They lost narrowly to West Indies but crushed Italy by 98 runs at Eden Gardens earlier this week. A third successive match at the famous Kolkata venue gives them clear familiarity.
Salt Refuses to Press Panic Button
Salt rejected any suggestion the dressing room is rattled.
He pointed to the 2023 Ashes, when Ben Stokes called being 2-0 down “very exciting” because England’s aggressive style thrives under pressure.
Two and a half years later the mindset is identical.
“The exciting thing for everyone in our camp is the opportunity is right there,” Salt said. “When our backs are against the wall we come out fighting. That’s when we play our best cricket.”
He demanded every player from 1 to 11 shows personality.
“Be authentic. Take the game on in smart ways. If we do that, sides can’t live with us. We know that.”
Eden Gardens: Salt’s Fortress
Few players know Eden Gardens better than Salt.
In 2024 he smashed five half-centuries in nine innings for Kolkata Knight Riders during their title-winning IPL campaign, averaging 50.75 at a strike rate of 182.06.
Scotland’s bowlers will face the same venue, the same bouncing black-soil pitch, and the same man in blistering form.
“I’ve had a lot of joy here,” Salt smiled. “If any of the boys want tips, my door is open.”
Scotland Smell Blood
Across the city, Scotland are daring to dream.
Fast bowler Brad Wheal admitted facing England carries extra spice for the team and their supporters.
“Any Scot would love to knock England over,” he said. “We know what it means to the fans back home.”
Captain Richie Berrington has overseen remarkable progress. Victory over England would rank as Scottish cricket’s greatest ever result.
They have already beaten Bangladesh in the 2024 cycle and pushed Australia close last summer. This team is no longer making up numbers.
Key Numbers Heading Into Kolkata Clash
- England have beaten Scotland in four of their five completed T20Is
- Scotland’s last win over a Full Member came against West Indies in 2022
- Phil Salt at Eden Gardens: 405 runs in 9 IPL innings, 5 fifties
- Scotland’s top scorer this tournament: George Munsey – 112 runs at 224 strike rate
- Required result for England: win + keep net run rate ahead of West Indies
England’s likely XI: Salt, Buttler (capt & wk), Jacks, Bairstow, Brook, Livingstone, Curran, Woakes, Jordan, Rashid, Archer
Scotland’s likely XI: Munsey, Jones, Berrington (capt), McMullen, Leask, Cross (wk), Watt, Wheal, Currie, Main, Greaves
The match starts at 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT) on Saturday 14 February 2026.
One team will leave Kolkata with World Cup dreams alive. The other will board an early flight home.
Phil Salt promised England will not be the ones looking at the departure boards.
