Disappointing India dumped out of Sixes Cup competition

Vivek Bakshi, the manager of the India team, brushed aside suggestions that the world's most financially powerful cricketing nation had sent a scratch side to the Karp Group Hong Kong Sixes, as organisers yesterday first scrambled to get a virtually unknown side to the ground on time - the first day's play at Kowloon Cricket Club - and then watched them being knocked out of the Cup competition.

"This is by no means a scratch team. Yes, we had to make last-minute changes to the side but this team mostly comprises youngsters who all have the dream of wearing a blue cap [representing India] one day," said Bakshi.

"If you remember, back in 2005, one unknown guy called Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India to victory here and he went on to captain the country."

This will be small consolation for the Hong Kong Cricket Association, which had hoped the world's most influential cricketing board - the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) - would send a strong side for the 2012 edition.

Ever since the HKCA took control of the Sixes from private interests back in the late 1990s, it has struggled to get big-name players from India. The days when Sachin Tendulkar graced this tournament are long past with the BCCI having a strong hold on the contracted players.

While the rest of the seven overseas teams are all representative sides officially sent by their boards, the BCCI has stayed aloof and refused to get too involved with the popular Hong Kong tournament, which is being telecast live throughout the sub-continent.

But HKCA president Shahzada Saleem promised that things would change in the future with plans next year to get an official line-up from India.