Veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead India at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes, returning to the national colours in a tournament setting after last playing international cricket in 2022.
Bhuvneshwar, 36, heads a seven-player squad announced for the tournament, which will be held from October 30 to November 1. The group also includes Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi and T. Natarajan.
The appointment gives Bhuvneshwar another opportunity to lead an India side, although his selection should not be confused with a recall to the senior international team. The ICC lists 2022 as his most recent international appearance.
India squad brings together international experience and IPL firepower
India’s Hong Kong Sixes group has a strong connection with the Indian Premier League.
Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar were part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful 2026 IPL campaign, while the wider squad includes players known for aggressive batting, finishing ability and specialist bowling.
Pandya provides an all-round option, while Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi add attacking batting. Shashank Singh and Rahul Tewatia are recognised for their finishing roles, with left-arm seamer T. Natarajan adding another bowling option.
The selection also gives the tournament an unusually strong Indian presence. With the exception of Shashank Singh, the players in the squad have represented India at international level, according to reports on the team announcement.
Bhuvneshwar’s captaincy adds experience to a short-format challenge
The Hong Kong Sixes is built around a much shorter and more aggressive version of cricket than the conventional international formats.
Only six players are on the field for each side, leaving little margin for a player to settle into a match. The format places a premium on power-hitting, quick decision-making and players who can contribute in more than one discipline.
That makes Bhuvneshwar’s experience particularly relevant. The right-arm seamer has played 229 international matches and has also enjoyed a long IPL career. His role will not simply be limited to bowling; as captain, he will have to manage a format in which each over can substantially change the result.
India looking to improve after 2025 exit
India will enter the 2026 tournament looking for a better campaign than last year.
The team began its 2025 Hong Kong Sixes campaign with a two-run DLS victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected match. India then lost its following matches and exited at the group stage.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will arrive as defending champions after beating Kuwait in the 2025 final to claim a record sixth Hong Kong Sixes title.
India have won the Hong Kong Sixes once before, taking the 2005 title. The tournament was subsequently revived in 2024 after a period away from the calendar, adding a new chapter to the competition’s history.
A fresh India opportunity for Bhuvneshwar
For Bhuvneshwar, the tournament represents a return to wearing India colours without necessarily signalling a comeback to international cricket.
His most recent India appearance was in 2022, but his continued involvement in domestic and franchise cricket has kept him in the spotlight. His appointment as captain now places him at the centre of India’s campaign in one of cricket’s most unconventional formats.
India’s seven-man squad will therefore arrive in Hong Kong with two clear objectives: improve on its recent Sixes record and make the most of a group containing considerable experience in short-format cricket.
The tournament will run from October 30 through November 1 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong.
Who is captaining India at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will captain India’s seven-man squad at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes.
When will the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes be played?
The tournament is scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2026.
Who is in India’s Hong Kong Sixes squad?
The squad comprises Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi and T. Natarajan.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar returning to India’s international team?
No. His Hong Kong Sixes selection is for a separate six-a-side tournament and does not represent a recall to India’s senior international side. His last international appearance was in 2022.
Where will the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 be played?
The tournament is scheduled at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong.
Did India win the Hong Kong Sixes before?
Yes. India won the tournament in 2005 and have one title in the competition’s history.
Who won the Hong Kong Sixes in 2025?
Pakistan won the 2025 edition, beating Kuwait in the final for its sixth title.
How did India perform in the 2025 Hong Kong Sixes?
India beat Pakistan by two runs under the DLS method in their opening match but subsequently lost and exited at the group stage.
