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Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has been appointed captain of Team India which will be featuring in the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes to be played from November 7 to 9. Karthik retired from all forms of sport in June 2024 but later, he reversed his retirement to participate in the SA20 League 2024/25. Appearing for Paarl Royals, he scored 130 runs in eight innings of 11 matches at a strike rate of 121.49. This year, Karthik also served Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as their mentor and batting coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
On his appointment for Team India, Karthik said he considers himself fortunate to lead the side in the illustrious tournament. “It is an absolute honour leading Team India at the Hong Kong Sixes, a tournament with such rich history and global recognition. I look forward to lead a group of players who have such incredible records to their credit, and together we will aim to bring joy to the fans and play cricket that is both fearless and entertaining." remarked Karthik.
India’s record in Hong Kong Sixes
India’s record in Hong Kong Sixes has been decent. In 1992, when the tournament was launched, India concluded the competition as runners-up. In 2005, India lifted the trophy after beating the West Indies in the final. In 2024, when the tournament returned after seven years, India’s journey ended in the group stage while Sri Lanka won the tournament after defeating Pakistan.
This year, Karthik will be captaining the side and he will be expected to lead from the front. The veteran played for India in international cricket from 2004 to 2022 and during this period, he played 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 60 T20Is. In the cash-rich IPL, he appeared in 257 matches.
