In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, India’s U16 women’s basketball team continued their unbeaten streak at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Division B, defeating Uzbekistan 81-69 in their second Group A match.
The victory, played at Arena Seremban, positions India on the brink of advancing to the semi-finals, showcasing the growing prowess of young Indian talent on the international stage. Held as part of the tournament running from September 13 to 19, 2025, this win builds on India’s dramatic comeback against Iran the previous day, highlighting the team’s ability to adapt and dominate under pressure.
The match began with Uzbekistan taking an early advantage, outscoring India 22-17 in the first quarter. The Uzbeks capitalized on India’s sluggish opening, building momentum with sharp shooting and defensive pressure.
However, India flipped the script in the second quarter, erupting for 26 points while holding Uzbekistan to just 16. This surge allowed the Indian side to take control heading into halftime.
The third quarter saw India extend their lead further, scoring 18 to Uzbekistan’s 14, with efficient ball movement and strong rebounding proving key. In the final period, India maintained their composure, adding 20 points against Uzbekistan’s 17 to seal the 81-69 victory.
Key moments included India’s 10-0 scoring run early in the second half, which helped establish a commanding 16-point lead at its peak. Uzbekistan responded with an 8-0 run of their own, but India led for over 25 minutes of the game, with only three lead changes throughout.
Team statistics underscored India’s superiority. The Indian squad shot an impressive 42% from the field, compared to Uzbekistan’s 27%. From beyond the arc, India connected on 35.3% of their three-pointers, while Uzbekistan managed only 19.2%. Free-throw shooting was another decisive factor, with India converting 71.9% of their attempts against Uzbekistan’s 54.6%.
Star of the Show: Viha Reddy Jonnalagadda’s Dominant Display
Vice-captain Viha Reddy Jonnalagadda emerged as the undisputed hero for India, delivering a stellar performance with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Her efficiency rating of 33 highlighted her all-around impact, including defensive contributions that disrupted Uzbekistan’s rhythm. Born on November 18, 2009, the 182 cm (6’0″) forward from Telangana has quickly become a standout figure in Indian basketball.
Representing her club in Telangana, Viha’s appointment as vice-captain for this tournament marks a historic milestone as the first player from her state to hold such a leadership role in the national U16 setup.
Viha’s performance aligns with her emerging profile as a top prospect. In the tournament so far, she averages 20.5 efficiency points and leads the leaderboard with 3.5 blocks per game, demonstrating her versatility as a forward who can score, rebound, and protect the rim.
On the opposing side, Uzbekistan’s Rayhona Salimova matched Viha’s scoring output with 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome India’s balanced attack.
Other notable contributors for India included captain Reva Amit Kulkarni, who has been a consistent force in the tournament with averages of 17.0 points and 21.0 efficiency per game. Mahek Sharma dominated the boards with 12.0 rebounds per game on average, while Nethra Birudavolu dished out 8.5 assists per contest, orchestrating India’s offense effectively.
The FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup Division B features eight teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Samoa, while Group B includes Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Tonga (with China also participating based on matchups). The tournament follows a group phase leading into knockout stages, with the ultimate goal of promotion to Division A for the top performers. India’s strong start has them atop Group A with a 2-0 record and 4 points, boasting a +15 point differential. Iran and Uzbekistan sit at 1-1 with 3 points each, while Samoa remains winless at 0-2 with 2 points.
This victory comes on the heels of India’s nail-biting 70-67 win over Iran, where they overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, India faces Samoa on September 15 at 11:30 AM IST, a match that could secure their semi-final berth. A win would solidify their position as group leaders and boost their chances of promotion.
India will aim to carry this momentum into their next Group A match, with their sights set on securing a semi-final spot and potentially earning promotion to Division A. As the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup Division B continues, India’s performance in Seremban has marked them as a team to watch, with the semi-finals firmly within their grasp.
