As India gears up for the next round of FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifying games, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Scheduled to face Iran on February 21st and Qatar on February 24th, the Indian basketball team is determined to secure a top-three if not top-two finish in Pool E to keep their hopes of qualifying for the main draw alive.
Currently sitting in third place, India needs to win both matches to avoid relying on other teams’ performances.
The Road So Far
India’s journey in the qualifiers has been a rollercoaster. After a significant win against Kazakhstan in the second window of qualifiers, the team is looking to build on that momentum.
However, their previous encounter with Iran on February 26, 2024, ended in a disappointing 86-53 blowout loss.
This defeat highlighted several areas where India needs to improve, particularly in rebounding and three-point shooting.
Rebounding: One of the most glaring issues in the previous match against Iran was India’s struggle with securing rebounds.
Iran dominated the boards, grabbing 20 offensive rebounds compared to India’s 7. For India to stand a chance in the upcoming game, the big men need to step up their efforts on both the defensive and offensive ends.
Securing rebounds will be crucial to limiting Iran’s second-chance points and creating more scoring opportunities for India.
Three-Point Shooting: India’s reliance on three-point shooting has been a double-edged sword. While it can be a potent weapon, it also leaves the team vulnerable when shots aren’t falling.
Muin and Kanwar Sandhu, the team’s primary three-point shooters, had a poor outing against Iran. They must capitalize on open looks and improve their shooting accuracy to keep India competitive.
Pranav Prince’s Form: On a positive note, Pranav Prince has shown consistent improvement throughout the series. His continued form will be vital for India’s success.
Prince’s ability to contribute on both ends of the floor can provide the team with the spark they need to overcome tough opponents.
The Challenge Against Qatar
India’s match against Qatar on February 24th presents another significant challenge. In their previous encounter in November, India struggled against Qatar’s defense and failed to find answers. Qatar’s strategy of forcing India to shoot from outside proved effective, while they managed to penetrate India’s defense with ease. The shot chart clearly shows this.
Photo Credit:FIBA
To turn the tables, India must focus on tightening their defense and forcing Qatar to take more three-point shots. Historically, Qatar has not been strong from beyond the arc, and this could be a key to India’s success.
By keeping Qatar out of the paint and contesting their shots, India can increase their chances of securing a crucial win.
India’s path to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 main draw is clear: win both upcoming matches. Achieving this will require a collective effort from the entire team, with improvements in rebounding, shooting, and defense.
If India can rise to the occasion and execute their game plan effectively, they can secure their spot in the main draw and continue their journey in the tournament.
The Indian squad is set to battle it out in FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers (Window 3)!
📅 February 21, 2025 – India 🆚 Iran 📍 Tehran
📅 February 24, 2025 – India 🆚 Qatar 📍 Doha
