The Hong Kong Sixes returns for its 22nd edition this month. The tournament runs from October 30 to November 1. All matches will be played at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Kowloon. Pakistan are the defending champions. They beat Kuwait in last year’s final to win a record sixth title. India finished last in 2025, in 12th place.
The format is fast and unique. Each team has six players. Each innings lasts six overs. A batter must retire not out after reaching 50. Every fielder except the wicketkeeper has to bowl at least one over. Twelve teams are split into four groups of three. The group winners go to the Cup semi-finals. The runners-up go to the Plate semi-finals. The third-placed teams go to the Bowl semi-finals.
Pakistan, India, and the UAE are in Group C. That means India and Pakistan meet on day one. Pakistan and India are the only teams to have named their squads so far. The other ten teams have not announced theirs yet.
Hong Kong Sixes 2026: India Squad, Captain, and Schedule
The tournament starts on Friday, October 30. The first match is Australia vs Hong Kong, China at 8:45 AM local time. The biggest match of the day is India vs Pakistan at 2:15 PM local time, which is 11:45 AM IST. South Africa plays Afghanistan at 3:10 PM local time.
Saturday, October 31 has the last three group matches. The UAE plays India at 10:35 AM local time. After that, all six semi-finals take place. The Bowl semi-finals are at 11:30 AM and 12:25 PM local time. The Plate semi-finals are at 1:20 PM and 2:15 PM local time. The Cup semi-finals are at 3:10 PM and 4:05 PM local time.
India are captained by Krunal Pandya. The squad includes Shashank Singh, Nitish Rana, T. Natarajan, Rahul Tewatia, and Rahul Tripathi. This is a group of experienced T20 players. Last year, India beat Pakistan in their opening match but still went out in the pool stage.
Krunal Pandya Replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar as India Captain for Hong Kong Sixes 2026
Krunal Pandya will captain India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026. He replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvneshwar was originally named captain. But he has now been called up to the national team for India’s tour of New Zealand. That tour starts on October 22. Gujarat Titans pacer Kulwant Khejroliya will take Bhuvneshwar’s place in the squad.
The tournament runs from October 30 to November 1. Krunal will lead a seven-member squad. The team has a mix of experienced IPL players. There are hard-hitting batters and useful all-rounders. That should help in the fast six-a-side format.
Bhuvneshwar’s return to the India team is a big moment. He last played for India four years ago. His absence will be felt at the Hong Kong Sixes.
Anuraag Bhatnagar is the Director of Commercial and Marketing for Cricket Hong Kong, China. He said the tournament will miss Bhuvneshwar. But he is happy to see him get a national call-up. He called it a special milestone. He wished Bhuvneshwar success on the New Zealand tour. He also said he looks forward to welcoming him back to the Hong Kong Sixes in the future.
The updated India squad is Krunal Pandya (captain, Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Shashank Singh (Punjab Kings), Rahul Tewatia (Gujarat Titans), Nitish Rana (Delhi Capitals), Rahul Tripathi (Kolkata Knight Riders), T. Natarajan (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Kulwant Khejroliya (Gujarat Titans).
FAQs
Q. When will the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 take place?
A. The tournament will run from October 30 to November 1, 2026.
Q. Who is captaining India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026?
A. Krunal Pandya will captain India after replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Q. Who are India’s opponents in the group stage?
A. India will face Pakistan and the UAE in Group C.
Q. Where will the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 matches be played?
A. All matches will take place at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Kowloon.
Q. Who are the defending champions of the Hong Kong Sixes?
A. Pakistan are the defending champions after winning their record sixth title in 2025.
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