Patiala, 22 February (Sports Desk)
The Indian men’s basketball team faced a tough challenge in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers , suffering a crushing 106-55 defeat against Iran at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran on Friday. The loss dealt a blow to India’s campaign as they aim to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.
India’s final match of the second qualifying round will be against Qatar on Monday , where they will look to bounce back from this setback.
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Match Recap
Ranked 78th in the world, India started strongly against 28th-ranked Iran , the highest-ranked team in Group E . Building on their historic win over Kazakhstan last November, India took an early lead, going ahead 9-5 within the first four minutes. However, Iran quickly found their rhythm and edged the first quarter 18-15 .
The turning point came in the second quarter when Iran unleashed a dominant 28-5 run , taking a commanding 46-20 lead into halftime. Despite India’s improved offensive performance in the second half, they were unable to mount a comeback as Iran continued to pile on the pressure, scoring 60 points after the break.
Key Performances
- Mohammad Amini (Iran): Starred with a game-high 33 points , leading the hosts’ charge.
- Amritpal Singh (India): Top-scorer for India with 18 points , showcasing resilience despite the heavy defeat.
- Pranav Prince (India): Contributed 9 points in support of Amritpal.
Standings Update
India currently sits in third place in Group E with 6 points , while Iran leads the table with 9 points . The group dynamics remain tight, with Qatar in second place and Kazakhstan at the bottom. These two teams are set to face each other later in the day.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance directly to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia . The third-placed teams from all groups will compete in a separate qualifying event for the remaining four spots.
Looking Ahead
India’s next match is against Qatar on Monday , marking their final game of the second qualifying round. With their campaign hanging in the balance, the team will need to regroup and deliver a strong performance to keep their hopes alive.
India’s best-ever finish at the FIBA Asia Cup came in 1975 , when they secured fourth place. In the previous edition held in Indonesia , the team finished 16th .
While the loss to Iran highlighted the gap between the two sides, India’s early promise and fighting spirit provide some encouragement moving forward. The clash against Qatar will be crucial in determining their path to the qualifiers and beyond.
