In a sensational display of bowling, Romario Shepherd of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru made headlines during the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Scotland. Shepherd’s hat-trick not only secured a win for the West Indies but also etched his name in history as the first West Indies player to take a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup game.
Shepherd’s Memorable Performance
The match took place in Kolkata, where the West Indies opened their campaign successfully, defeating Scotland. Shepherd, who had modest figures leading into the 17th over at 2-0-19-1, transformed the game with his exceptional bowling. With Scotland needing 51 runs from the final 24 deliveries, Shepherd struck gold on just his second ball, dismissing Matthew Cross as he attempted a point shot.
The dramatic over continued with Shepherd claiming a second wicket when Rovman Powell executed a stunning catch, sending Michael Leask back to the pavilion for a golden duck. Shepherd didn’t stop there; he capped off his hat-trick by cleaning up Oliver Davidson, solidifying his dominance on the field.
Statistics of Shepherd's Outstanding Hat-Trick
| Bowler |
Overs |
Runs Conceded |
Wickets |
| Romario Shepherd |
3 |
20 |
5 |
Shepherd’s remarkable over concluded his innings with an impressive final tally of 3-0-20-5, marking his first T20I five-wicket haul. This achievement showcases his incredible potential as a bowler.
Match Highlights
Prior to Shepherd's heroics, Shimron Hetmyer played a pivotal role in steering the West Indies to a commendable total of 182/5 in 20 overs. Leading from the front, Hetmyer notched a rapid-fire 64 runs from just 36 deliveries, including a quick half-century off 22 balls. The opening partnership that set the stage featured a solid 54 runs from Shai Hope and Brandon King over 8.2 overs.
On the Scotland side, captain Richie Berrington emerged as the top scorer, contributing 42 runs, while Tom Bruce managed to add 35 runs to the score. Unfortunately for Scotland, their innings collapsed as the West Indies bowlers, led by Shepherd, turned the tide dramatically.
Player of the Match
For his outstanding performance, Hetmyer was awarded the Player of the Match, further confirming his status as a key player for the West Indies.
Conclusion
This thrilling encounter not only showcased Shepherd's batting brilliance but also highlighted the competitive spirit of T20 cricket. With such victories, the West Indies aim to build momentum in their T20 World Cup journey.