Team India’s campaign at the Hong Kong Sixes 2025 came to an end on Saturday, failing to advance to the quarterfinals after losing to Kuwait, the UAE, and Nepal in consecutive games. Despite being regarded as a tournament favourite with players such as Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Stuart Binny, Shahbaz Nadeem, Abhimanyu Mithun, and Priyank Panchal, India’s performances in the six-a-side format were much below expectations.
India opened their campaign with a tight 2-run victory over archrivals Pakistan in a rain-soaked match. However, the team struggled to adjust to the pressure of the format against lesser-known opponents. India’s difficulties began with a 27-run defeat over Kuwait in Pool C. Opting to bowl first, India appeared to be in control until Yasin Patel hammered five consecutive sixes on his way to an undefeated 58 off 14 balls. Kuwait finished on 106/5 in six overs. In response, India’s batting faltered, losing early wickets and eventually succumbing to 79/6 in 5.4 overs.
India out of the Quarterfinals race
Only hours later, India faced the United Arab Emirates, and the woes continued. Batting first, India posted 107/3, courtesy of a partnership between Abhimanyu Mithun (50) and Dinesh Karthik (42). However, the UAE’s openers Khalid Shah and Saghir Khan ran into India’s bowling attack, smashing 42 runs in the first two overs. The chase was completed in 5.5 overs, as UAE reached 111/2, winning by four wickets and handing India their second straight loss of the tournament.
India’s performance against Nepal was another shocker. Nepal produced a record-breaking effort, posting 137/0 in 6 overs, the highest total of the tournament. Openers dominated the Indian bowlers. In reply, India collapsed spectacularly, managing only 45/6 in 3 overs, suffering a massive 92-run defeat, one of their heaviest in the tournament’s history. With three consecutive losses after their lone win over Pakistan, India’s hopes of reaching the Hong Kong Sixes 2025 quarterfinals were quashed.
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