Seasoned pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead Team India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, with the organisers on Monday announcing a star-studded seven-member squad drawn largely from the Indian Premier League for the fast-paced tournament starting October 30.
The squad features Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi and T. Natarajan alongside the captain, according to the press release from Hong Kong Sixes. All except Shashank Singh have represented India at the senior level, giving the side a blend of international experience, explosive batting, all-round ability and specialist bowling.
A format with no time to settle
The Hong Kong Sixes compresses cricket into its most frenetic form — six players a side, rapid high-scoring matches built around attacking batting and contributions from every player across disciplines. Batters are encouraged to go after the bowling from the first ball, and the margin for error is minimal.
The 2026 edition, to be played from October 30 to November 1 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, is the first with JSW Sports as the commercial partner. The tournament will feature eight major cricketing nations alongside four Associate Members, and will be broadcast live in India on the Sony Sports Network. Pakistan enter as the defending champions, having beaten debutant Kuwait in last year's final to claim a record sixth Hong Kong Sixes title.
Redemption mission for India
Team India will be aiming to go deeper this time after a disappointing 2025 campaign, which opened with a narrow two-run DLS victory over Pakistan before defeats in the subsequent matches ended the run. For Bhuvneshwar, 36, the tournament marks a return to India colours as a leader — his last senior appearance for the country came in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier back in November 2022, though he remains an IPL force with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Sources:
- The Economic Times: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead Indian side at Hong Kong Sixes 2026
- Sportstar: Hong Kong Sixes 2026 — Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead Team India
The squad features Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi and T. Natarajan alongside the captain, according to the press release from Hong Kong Sixes. All except Shashank Singh have represented India at the senior level, giving the side a blend of international experience, explosive batting, all-round ability and specialist bowling.
A format with no time to settle
The Hong Kong Sixes compresses cricket into its most frenetic form — six players a side, rapid high-scoring matches built around attacking batting and contributions from every player across disciplines. Batters are encouraged to go after the bowling from the first ball, and the margin for error is minimal.
The 2026 edition, to be played from October 30 to November 1 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, is the first with JSW Sports as the commercial partner. The tournament will feature eight major cricketing nations alongside four Associate Members, and will be broadcast live in India on the Sony Sports Network. Pakistan enter as the defending champions, having beaten debutant Kuwait in last year's final to claim a record sixth Hong Kong Sixes title.
Redemption mission for India
Team India will be aiming to go deeper this time after a disappointing 2025 campaign, which opened with a narrow two-run DLS victory over Pakistan before defeats in the subsequent matches ended the run. For Bhuvneshwar, 36, the tournament marks a return to India colours as a leader — his last senior appearance for the country came in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier back in November 2022, though he remains an IPL force with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Sources:
- The Economic Times: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead Indian side at Hong Kong Sixes 2026
- Sportstar: Hong Kong Sixes 2026 — Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead Team India
