Bhuvneshwar Kumar to captain India’s seven-man squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026
India have named a seven-man squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, appointing pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar as captain for the tournament scheduled from October 30 to November 1, 2026. The squad features players with IPL and international experience, including Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi.
India enter the event on the back of disappointing returns since the Hong Kong Sixes was reinstated in 2024, having lost nine of their 10 matches across the two editions. The 12 participating teams have been split into four groups of three, and India have been drawn in Pool C alongside Pakistan and the UAE; Pakistan are the defending champions and will be aiming for their seventh Hong Kong Sixes title.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a 36-year-old pacer who has played 229 international matches, comprising 21 Tests, 121 ODIs and 87 T20Is. He will lead this compact squad in the short-format tournament.
The seven-man selection includes Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi, reflecting a mix of players noted in the announcement for their IPL and international experience. The squad size conforms to the competition’s abbreviated team format.
The Hong Kong Sixes format features six players per team and six overs per innings; bowlers are generally allowed to deliver one over each, while one designated bowler, apart from the wicketkeeper, may bowl two overs. Competition progression is also compressed: group winners advance to the Cup semi-finals, second-placed teams enter the Plate semi-finals and third-placed teams compete in the Bowl competition.
Pool compositions beyond India’s group were confirmed as follows: Pool A contains Australia, England and Hong Kong China; Pool B comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Scotland; Pool D includes South Africa, Afghanistan and Oman. The draw completes the four groups for the tournament.
India will contest Pool C against Pakistan and the UAE when the Hong Kong Sixes is staged from October 30 to November 1, 2026.