Bhuvneshwar Kumar will captain India’s seven-member squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, scheduled from October 30 to November 1. The squad combines experienced IPL batters, all-rounders and pace bowlers, with India set to face Pakistan and the UAE in the group stage.
The tournament will take place at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong. Bhuvneshwar’s selection brings him back into India colours after his last international appearance in 2022, although the Hong Kong Sixes is a separate six-a-side competition, not an ODI or T20I recall.
India squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026
Full squad: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (captain), Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi and T. Natarajan.
Players and their IPL 2026 performances
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (captain): The experienced seamer arrives after taking 28 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. His ability to swing the new ball and change his pace gives India useful options in a format where even one expensive over can decide a match.
Krunal Pandya: The all-rounder contributed 226 runs and 14 wickets for RCB in IPL 2026. His left-arm spin and batting provide balance to the squad.
Shashank Singh: The Punjab Kings batter scored 132 runs at a strike rate of 188.57 in IPL 2026. Although his overall run tally was modest, that scoring rate shows why his attacking batting could be valuable in a competition with very little time to settle.
Rahul Tewatia: Gujarat Titans’ left-handed batter finished IPL 2026 with 190 runs at a strike rate of 143.94. His experience of batting towards the end of T20 innings should help India during short chases, when quick decisions and boundary hitting become essential.
Nitish Rana: Rana scored 225 runs in nine matches for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, including a highest score of 91. The left-hander adds experience to India’s batting group and gives the team another option to take on bowlers early in an innings.
Rahul Tripathi: Tripathi brings the experience of 100 IPL appearances, but he did not play a match for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. This tournament offers him a chance to make an impact in India colours after spending that IPL season on the sidelines.
T. Natarajan: The left-arm pacer took five wickets in 10 matches for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. His yorkers offer a different challenge alongside Bhuvneshwar. After a difficult IPL campaign, his accuracy will be important against batters looking to attack almost every delivery.
India’s Hong Kong Sixes 2026 schedule
India are in Pool C alongside Pakistan and the UAE. The group fixtures below use Indian Standard Time.
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| October 30, 2026 | India vs Pakistan | 11:45 AM |
| October 31, 2026 | India vs UAE | 8:05 AM |
How does the Hong Kong Sixes format work?
Players and overs: Each team fields six players, even though India have named a seven-member squad. Each side bats for a maximum of six overs, so there is little time to build an innings slowly.
Bowling: The wicketkeeper does not bowl. Of the other five players, four bowl one over each and one designated bowler can deliver two overs. This means the batters also need to contribute with the ball.
Group stage: The 12 teams are split into four pools of three. Each team plays its two pool opponents once. India must finish above Pakistan and the UAE to qualify for the main title race.
Knockouts: The four pool winners enter the Cup semi-finals. Second-placed teams enter the Plate semi-finals, while third-placed teams contest the Bowl competition. The Cup semi-final winners meet in the final on November 1.
