Krunal Pandya to captain India at Hong Kong Sixes 2026 as Khejroliya steps in
Synopsis
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's surprise return to India's T20I setup after nearly four years has reshuffled India's Hong Kong Sixes 2026 squad — handing Krunal Pandya the captaincy and bringing Gujarat Titans pacer Kulwant Khejroliya into the frame. It is a rare case where a second-tier tournament loses a player to a national call-up, signalling how far Bhuvneshwar has climbed back up the selectors' list.
Key Takeaways
Krunal Pandya named captain of India's seven-member squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026 .
Bhuvneshwar Kumar withdrew after earning a national T20I recall for India's tour of New Zealand , beginning 22 October .
Kulwant Khejroliya of Gujarat Titans has been named as Bhuvneshwar's replacement.
The Hong Kong Sixes 2026 runs from 30 October to 1 November .
Bhuvneshwar was also added to India's squad for the fifth T20I against the West Indies after Arshdeep Singh was injured in Hyderabad .
Bhuvneshwar's return marks his first national appearance in nearly four years .
Krunal Pandya will captain India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, after Bhuvneshwar Kumar was recalled to the national T20I setup for India's tour of New Zealand beginning 22 October. Gujarat Titans pacer Kulwant Khejroliya has been named as Bhuvneshwar's replacement in the seven-member squad, which will compete in the tournament from 30 October to 1 November.
India's Squad for Hong Kong Sixes
Krunal will lead a side comprising Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, T. Natarajan, and Kulwant Khejroliya. The lineup blends IPL experience with batting depth and all-round capability, well-suited to the fast-paced six-a-side format that characterises the Hong Kong Sixes.
Bhuvneshwar's Return to International Cricket
Bhuvneshwar's recall to the national side after nearly four years is the central development driving the squad changes. The experienced seamer was named in Shreyas Iyer's T20I squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier this month. He was also added to India's squad for the decisive fifth T20I against the West Indies — scheduled for Saturday — after Arshdeep Singh sustained a blow during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad.
Cricket Hong Kong Reacts
Anuraag Bhatnagar, Director of Commercial and Marketing at Cricket Hong Kong, China, acknowledged the development with a message of goodwill. 'While we will certainly miss Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, we are delighted to see him earn a call-up to the national team. His return to international cricket after four years is a special milestone, and we wish him every success on India's tour of New Zealand. We look forward to welcoming him back to the Hong Kong Sixes in the future,' Bhatnagar said.
Context and What It Means
Bhuvneshwar's absence from the Hong Kong event is notable given he was originally part of the squad — his national recall triggered both a leadership change and a composition reshuffle. For Krunal Pandya, the captaincy offers a chance to assert his credentials in a leadership role at an international platform, even if the six-a-side format sits outside the main bilateral calendar. This comes amid a broader BCCI trend of using the Hong Kong Sixes as an opportunity to field experienced domestic talent in an international setting. The tournament is expected to be an intense, high-scoring affair given the shortened format.
Point of View
His twin selections for the West Indies decider and the New Zealand T20I series suggest the selectors view him as a genuine option, not just a stopgap for an injured Arshdeep. The question is whether his body, and his pace, can hold up over a five-match series. For Krunal Pandya, the captaincy at an invitational sixes tournament is a modest but visible opportunity — one that rarely translates into a bilateral call-up unless performances are exceptional.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain India at Hong Kong Sixes 2026?
All-rounder Krunal Pandya will captain India at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, following Bhuvneshwar Kumar's withdrawal after his recall to the national T20I squad. The tournament runs from 30 October to 1 November.
Why was Bhuvneshwar Kumar replaced in India's Hong Kong Sixes squad?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was recalled to India's T20I squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, beginning 22 October, prompting his withdrawal from the Hong Kong Sixes. He was also drafted into India's squad for the fifth T20I against the West Indies after Arshdeep Singh was injured.
Who is Kulwant Khejroliya and why was he selected?
Kulwant Khejroliya is a pacer who plays for Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He was named as Bhuvneshwar Kumar's replacement in India's seven-member squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026.
What is the India squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026?
India's squad is: Krunal Pandya (captain), Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, T. Natarajan, and Kulwant Khejroliya.
When is the Hong Kong Sixes 2026 tournament?
The Hong Kong Sixes 2026 is scheduled from 30 October to 1 November 2026 in Hong Kong.
