T20 World Cup 2026: What do the numbers reveal about Eden Gardens pitch behaviour during the tournament?
South Africa will face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the 2026 T20 World Cup on March 4. This edition of the tournament has seen six matches played at Eden Gardens. The last match at the venue witnessed a Sanju Samson special, where the wicketkeeper-batter struck an unbeaten 97 against West Indies to guide India into the semi-finals. Here’s a look at some key statistics from the matches played at Eden Gardens in the ongoing World T20.
Team batting first has won four times out of six at Eden Gardens
Although India found batting relatively easy while chasing against West Indies, the team batting first has won four of the six matches played at this venue in the ongoing World T20. The highest total at the ground in the 2026 World T20 is 207-4, scored by Scotland, while the lowest total has been 123, recorded by Italy.
Best individual performances
The highest individual score at this ground has been 97 not out by Sanju Samson. The best bowling performance at the venue is 5 for 20 by Romario Shepherd of West Indies against Scotland.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: As the business end beckons, have SA pipped India as top favourites?
Top batting performances in different phases
Overall (0 to 20 overs)
| Player | Runs | Strike rate | 50s |
| Ben Manenti (ITL) | 138 | 179.22 | 2 |
| Shai Hope (WI) | 126 | 124.75 | 1 |
| George Munsey (SCO) | 107 | 142.67 | 1 |
Ben Manenti of Italy is the highest run-getter at this ground with 138 runs. He boasts of an impressive strike rate of 179.22 with 2 fifties.
Powerplay – 0 to 6 overs
| Players | Strike rate | Runs | Matches |
| George Munsey (SCO) | 136.17 | 64 | 3 |
| Jacob Bethell (ENG) | 136.11 | 49 | 2 |
| Shai Hope (WI) | 126.98 | 80 | 3 |
| Michael Jones (SCO) | 117.14 | 41 | 3 |
George Munsey of Scotland dominates the powerplay overs at this ground in terms of strike rate among players who have scored at least 40 runs. He boasts of a strike rate of 136.17. Shai Hope of West Indies has scored the most runs during this phase with 80 runs.
Middle-overs 7 to 15 overs
| Players | Strike rate | Runs | Matches |
| Shimron Hetmyer (WI | 210.53 | 80 | 2 |
| Richie Berrington (SCO) | 181.25 | 87 | 3 |
| Ben Manenti (ITL) | 174.63 | 117 | 3 |
| Tom Banton (ENG) | 166.67 | 80 | 2 |
West Indian Shimron Hetmyer boasts of a strike rate of 210.53 during the middle-overs at this ground. However, Manenti has scored the most runs during this phase with 117 runs.
Death overs – 16 to 20
| Players | Strike rate | Runs | Matches |
| Will Jacks (ENG) | 233.33 | 56 | 2 |
| Sherfane Rutherford (WI) | 181.48 | 49 | 2 |
| Jason Holder (WI) | 166.67 | 40 | 2 |
Will Jacks of England has plundered runs at a strike rate of 233.33 in the death overs at this ground among players with at least 40 runs. He holds the key once again in the semi-final clash against South Africa.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Aiden Markram has led with example to take SA to the semi-final stage
Top bowling performances at this ground in the 2026 World T20
0 to 20 overs
| Players | Wickets | Average | Matches |
| Shamar Joseph (WI) | 7 | 14.00 | 3 |
| Michael Leask (SCO) | 6 | 15.33 | 3 |
| Jason Holder (WI) | 5 | 17.40 | 3 |
| Romario Shepherd (WI) | 5 | 10.80 | 2 |
Shamar Joseph has taken seven wickets at this ground at an average of 14. He took 4 for 30 against Scotland at this ground.
0 to 6 overs
| Players | Wickets | Average | Matches |
| Jofra Archer (Eng) | 4 | 8.75 | 2 |
| Akeal Hosein (WI) | 2 | 20.50 | 2 |
| Jason Holder (WI) | 2 | 10.50 | 3 |
Jofra Archer of England has been the top bowler at this ground with 4 wickets at an impressive average of 8.75 in the powerplay overs.
7 to 15 overs
| Players | Wickets | Average | Matches |
| Michael Leask (SCO) | 5 | 14.80 | 3 |
| Ben Manenti (ITL) | 3 | 20.67 | 3 |
| Oliver Davidson (SCO) | 3 | 20.33 | 3 |
Michael Leask of Scotland has 5 wickets in the middle-overs during this phase – the most by any player at this ground in this World T20.
16 to 20 overs
| Players | Wickets | Average | Matches |
| Romario Shepherd (WI) | 4 | 5.50 | 2 |
| Crishan Kalugamage (ITL) | 3 | 14.67 | 3 |
| Jamie Overton (ENG) | 3 | 0.67 | 2 |
Shepherd of West Indies took 4 wickets in the death overs when he took 5 for 20 against Scotland – the best performance by any bowler in this phase at this ground in the ongoing World T20.
Final Verdict
Neither New Zealand nor South Africa have played a match at Eden Gardens in this tournament. Both teams will therefore have to quickly adapt to the conditions when they meet in the first semi-final. However, South Africa have performed consistently with both bat and ball throughout the competition, while New Zealand have shown resilience in crucial matches, setting up an evenly poised contest at Eden Gardens.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand or Pakistan – Who will be the second semi-finalists from Group 2?
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