India announce Robin Uthappa-led squad for 2024 Hong Kong Sixes
India announced an exciting seven-member squad for the 2024 Hing Kong Sixes to be held between November 1 and 3. The tournament has seen 18 editions thus far, starting in 1992, but none since 2017.
Former batter Robin Uthappa will captain the Indian side in the six-per-team five-over competition. India did not feature in the previous edition in 2017 and will play the tournament for the first time since 2012.
The squad includes renowned names like Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Shreevats Goswami, Stuart Binny, Bharat Chipli, and Shahbaz Nadeem.
With the rules modified to eight balls per over in the final and extras like wides and no-balls costing two runs, the tournament is aimed at fast-paced action and high-scoring contests.
Should the five wickets fall before the allotted five overs are completed, the last man standing can continue batting with the fifth batter at the non-striker's end as the runner only.
India lost three of their four matches the last time they played the Hong Kong Sixes in 2012, including a Plate Semi-final defeat to Australia. Their lone title came in 2005 when they were led by former all-rounder Robin Singh.
South Africa and England have been the best-performing sides in the tournament with five titles each, while Pakistan have triumphed four times.
Coming to the 2024 edition, 12 teams will participate with three sides in four pools in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals.
South Africa are the defending champions, beating Pakistan in the 2017 final.
Meanwhile, India are placed in a group with arch-rivals Pakistan and the UAE, with the India-Pakistan match scheduled on November 1. They will take on the UAE the following day, November 2, with the quarterfinal also to be played later in the day.
India's squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2024
Robin Uthappa (Captain), Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Manoj Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, Bharat Chipli, Shreevats Goswami (wicketkeeper).