India is set to compete at the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024, as the tournament returns after a seven-year break! The tournament will kick off on November 1st. Explore key match rules, tournament format, India’s squad, and how to watch live.
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024
On Monday, October 7, Cricket Hong Kong announced that the Indian cricket team will be participating in the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes 2024 tournament, scheduled for November 1 to November 3. The 20th edition of the tournament is a noteworthy milestone, especially with India making a significant return after last competing in 2012.
🚨TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
Team India is gearing up to smash it out of the park at HK6! 🇮🇳💥
Prepare for explosive power hitting and a storm of sixes that will electrify the crowd! 🔥
Expect More Teams, More Sixes, More Excitement, and MAXIMUM THRILLS! 🔥🔥
HK6 is back from 1st to… pic.twitter.com/P5WDkksoJn
— Cricket Hong Kong, China (@CricketHK) October 7, 2024
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, aka HK6, is a six-a-side cricket tournament set to take place at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. This year’s event will feature a diverse lineup of 12 teams, including arch-rivals India and Pakistan, adding to the excitement. Other participating nations include Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. Each match will last approximately 45 minutes, with games speculated to run from 8:30 AM to 6 PM over the three days of competition. This edition promises to deliver a thrilling showcase of international talent and fierce competition.
First held in 1992, the tournament gained massive popularity but went on a break after the 2017 event, making the 2024 edition the first in seven years. The return of this tournament is eagerly anticipated by fans, given its rich history and the illustrious players who have participated over the years, including legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, and Wasim Akram.
South Africa, the defending champion, has claimed this tournament title five times, with their most recent victory in 2017. England shares this distinction, also having won the tournament five times. Pakistan follows closely with four titles, while Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Australia have each secured the championship once. India won the tournament in 2005, defeating the West Indies in the final.
Match RulesÂ
Here’s a breakdown of the main match rules and regulations governing this six-a-side format:
- Team Structure: Each match features two teams, each comprised of six players. Matches consist of a maximum of five overs per side, with the final game allowing for five overs of eight balls each, deviating from the standard six-ball format.
- Bowling Requirements: All players, except the wicketkeeper, must bowl one over during the match. Additionally, any wides or no-balls will result in two runs awarded to the batting team.
- Batting Restrictions: If five wickets fall before the completion of the five overs, the last remaining batsman continues to bat while the fifth batsman serves as a runner. The innings conclude when the sixth wicket falls.
- Retirement Rules: Batsmen must retire at 31 runs (individual score) but can return to the crease once all other batsmen have either been dismissed or retired. This adds a strategic layer to the batting lineup.
- Points System: In the round-robin phase, teams earn two points for each match they win.
Also Read:Â Hong Kong Sixes 2024: Schedule, Groups and Team Squads
India Squad
Robin Uthappa, the 2007 T20 World Cup winner, will captain the 7-member Indian squad in this year’s Hong Kong Cricket Sixes. Alongside Uthappa, the team includes Bharat Chipli, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreevats Goswami, and Stuart Binny.
Conclusion
As India gears up for the HKG Sixes, fans can anticipate an exciting showcase of talent, featuring a blend of established players and emerging stars. This unique format promises a thrilling experience for both players and supporters while fostering camaraderie among competing nations.
The return of India to this tournament marks a new chapter in its history, offering players a chance for international exposure and unforgettable memories. The squad will be announced in due course along with the broadcasting details.
How to watch HK6 live in India?
Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024 will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and streaming live on Hotstar in India.
Stay tuned for all the latest news and developments regarding the tournament!
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