India will field a strong team featuring seven prominent Indian Premier League (IPL) players at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes, scheduled from October 30 to November 1.
The Indian side will be led by pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and will include Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, and T. Natarajan.
According to a press release from Hong Kong Sixes, the squad combines international experience, aggressive batting, all-round skills, and specialist bowling tailored for cricket’s fast and entertaining six-a-side format.
Nitish Rana is noted for his aggressive top-order batting, with Shashank Singh and Rahul Tewatia recognised as proven finishers.
The Hong Kong Sixes is noted for condensing a full cricket match’s intensity into a brief format, encouraging innovative shots, rapid scoring, and swift momentum changes.
India will field a strong team featuring seven prominent Indian Premier League (IPL) players at the 2026 Hong Kong Sixes, scheduled from October 30 to November 1.
The Indian side will be led by pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and will include Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, and T. Natarajan. According to a press release from Hong Kong Sixes, the squad combines international experience, aggressive batting, all-round skills, and specialist bowling tailored for cricket’s fast and entertaining six-a-side format.
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The 2026 event marks the first edition with JSW Sports as the commercial partner, leveraging its expertise in sports franchises and leagues globally. The Team India roster is as follows:
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Captain) – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Krunal Pandya – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Shashank Singh – Punjab Kings
Rahul Tewatia – Gujarat Titans
Nitish Rana – Delhi Capitals
Rahul Tripathi – Kolkata Knight Riders
T. Natarajan – Delhi Capitals
The Hong Kong Sixes format involves only six players per side and is characterised by rapid, high-scoring matches that prioritise aggressive batting and multi-disciplinary contributions from all players.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar brings extensive IPL and international expertise, particularly with the new ball, while Krunal Pandya offers all-round capabilities. Nitish Rana is noted for his aggressive top-order batting, with Shashank Singh and Rahul Tewatia recognised as proven finishers. Rahul Tripathi adds further attacking prowess, complemented by T. Natarajan’s specialist left-arm pace bowling.
Anuraag Bhatnagar, Director of Marketing and Commercial at Cricket Hong Kong, said, “We are very grateful to the Indian cricket authorities for their support in helping us put together arguably one of the strongest sides that has represented India in the history of the Sixes. This will surely prove to be a quantum leap forward in terms of viewership and further validation for this iconic tournament.”
Team India aims to improve upon its 2025 campaign, which began with a narrow two-run DLS victory over Pakistan, before exiting after subsequent losses. The competition remains challenging, with Pakistan entering as defending champions after securing their record sixth title against Kuwait in last year’s final.
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The 2026 tournament will feature eight major cricketing nations and four Associate Members, promising three days of fast-paced cricket at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. The Hong Kong Sixes is noted for condensing a full cricket match’s intensity into a brief format, encouraging innovative shots, rapid scoring, and swift momentum changes.
This format allows prominent players to demonstrate versatility and adaptation, particularly appealing to live audiences seeking entertainment. Indian supporters will have the opportunity to witness several IPL stars showcase their skills beyond traditional T20 cricket.
Tickets for the event are priced at HKD 780 for all three days, providing access to international cricket, big hitting, and dynamic entertainment from October 30 to November 1, 2026.
