After a gap of seven years, Cricket Hong Kong has announced the much-anticipated return of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes, a tournament similar to futsal but for cricket, where each team plays with six players. The tournament is set to take place from November 1 to 3.
The upcoming edition will feature 12 teams, including India, making their first appearance since 2012. Other participating nations include Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, England, host Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates.
A star-studded history
Since its beginning in 1992, this innovative tournament has seen many cricketing legends grace the field, including Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Malik, and Sanath Jayasuriya.
Dhoni’s memorable participation in Hong Kong
In the 2004 edition, the Indian squad was led by Nikhil Chopra and featured several players with ODI and Test experience. Among them was a young, uncapped MS Dhoni, who was just 23 years old at the time. Dhoni was not the wicketkeeper in the tournament, as Pravin Amre was taking care behind the stumps. Dhoni opened the batting in all five matches during a disappointing campaign in which India lost every game, suffering defeats against the UAE, Pakistan, South Africa, and even the hosts, Hong Kong.
Dhoni shines in a losing effort
Despite the team’s struggles, Dhoni delivered a superb performance in the third-place playoff against South Africa. Batting first, he smashed five sixes and a four, retiring after scoring 36 runs off just eight balls, as per the tournament’s rules, which required players to retire upon reaching 36 runs.
Dhoni was the sole wicket-taker for India
Although India lost that match by four wickets, Dhoni stood out as the only Indian bowler to take a wicket, dismissing Johan van der Wath. He also claimed another wicket in the pool match against South Africa. Overall, Dhoni finished as India’s top scorer with 112 runs, ranking third overall in the tournament. Interestingly, the hard-hitting batter from Ranchi would go on to make his international debut just a month later, on December 23, 2004, against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
Can MS Dhoni Play in Super Sixes in 2024?
MS Dhoni can only play in the Super Sixes tournament if he returns to international cricket. Since this is not a league but an international tournament, only players competing internationally for their country can participate. However, Dhoni is unlikely to take part, as the wicketkeeper-batter announced his retirement from international cricket in 2020.
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