Hong Kong Sixes 2025: Dinesh Karthik named India captain, joins Ravichandran Ashwin

Dinesh Karthik and Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo source: Getty Images)

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has been appointed as the skipper of the Indian team for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes, as announced officially on Tuesday, September 23. The fast-paced, entertaining competition is scheduled to begin on November 7. Notably, he is the second name to be included in the squad after Ravichandran Ashwin, another high-profile name and Karthik’s Tamil Nadu mate, was added earlier this week.

Karthik, who enjoyed a long and impactful international career, is celebrated for his vast experience, sharp leadership qualities, and explosive batting style. His appointment as captain is expected to boost the team’s confidence and add greater excitement to the 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,” said Karthik as quoted by NDTV Sports.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dinesh Karthik as the captain of Team India for the Hong Kong Sixes 2025. His leadership and wealth of experience will add immense value to the competition, and we are confident that his presence will attract fans from across the globe to witness this spectacular cricketing festival,” said the chairperson of Cricket Hong Kong China, Burji Shroff.

“Having Dinesh Karthik lead India at the Hong Kong Sixes is a proud moment for us at Arivaa Sports. His charisma and ability to thrive under pressure make him the perfect leader for this format. This is yet another step towards strengthening the legacy of the Hong Kong Sixes as one of the most exciting global cricketing events,” said Arivaa Sports’ Rajneesh Chopra.

Karthik’s storied IPL career

The 40-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience from an illustrious international and domestic career. Karthik represented India in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is, contributing valuable runs across formats. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he played 257 matches, amassing 4,842 runs at a strike rate of 135.36, including 22 half-centuries and the highest score of 97 not-out.

Beyond his playing exploits, Karthik has also showcased his leadership and mentoring qualities. Earlier this year, he served as assistant coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), working alongside head coach Andy Flower during their title-winning IPL 2025 campaign. The Tamil Nadu cricketer was influential in picking the right combination that ended the franchise’s 18-season-long trophy drought.