Indian basketball scripted history on Sunday as the U16 women’s team captured their first-ever gold medal at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup Division B, defeating Iran 67-66 in a thrilling final at Arena Seremban.
The narrow victory capped an unbeaten run through the tournament and secured India’s long-awaited promotion back to Division A for the 2027 edition.
The triumph marked India’s return to Asia’s elite after eight years, a milestone made even sweeter by the resilience and composure the team displayed in a nail-biting finish against their toughest rivals.
A Final for the Ages
The championship game was a rematch of the group-stage clash where India had edged Iran by a slim margin. With higher stakes on the line, both sides brought intensity from the outset.
India opened strong, winning the first quarter 17-13 with aggressive inside play and quick transitions. Iran responded in the second, outscoring India 19-15 to tie the score 32-32 at halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive. India unleashed a 20-10 run, powered by sharp perimeter shooting and dominant rebounding, to build a commanding 52-42 lead. Yet, Iran refused to go away. In the fourth quarter, they poured in 24 points, nearly overturning the deficit before India’s composure in the final seconds sealed the gold.
Quarter Scores:
- Q1: India 17–13 Iran
- Q2: India 15–19 Iran
- Q3: India 20–10 Iran
- Q4: India 15–24 Iran
Final: India 67–66 Iran
Standout Performances
India’s victory was a collective effort, with five players reaching double figures and the team converting a remarkable 81% from the free-throw line to withstand pressure despite committing 24 turnovers.
- Viha Reddy Jonnalagadda: The breakout star of the tournament, Viha recorded a 21-point double-double with 10 rebounds, adding 2 assists, 1 block, and 3 steals in 39 minutes. Her leadership and clutch playmaking, especially in the third quarter, swung momentum India’s way.
- Aditi Subramanian: Scored 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including two three-pointers, while contributing 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
- Reva Amit Kulkarni: A steady presence, she added 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 40 minutes.
- Mahek Sharma: Dominated the boards with 18 rebounds (3 offensive) to go with 10 points and 3 steals, anchoring India’s defense and providing crucial second-chance opportunities.
- Nethra Birudavolu: Scored just 2 points but made a game-saving impact by drawing a crucial foul in the dying seconds, disrupting Iran’s momentum.
As a team, India shot 41.1% (23/56 FG), collected 44 rebounds, and forced 18 Iranian turnovers while registering 10 steals and 4 blocks.
The Final 18 Seconds
The closing stretch was pure drama. Leading 65-63 with 18 seconds left, India called timeout. Viha Reddy delivered a decisive layup with 10 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 67-63.
Iran, refusing to surrender, responded immediately as Mobina Bereihi drained a contested three-pointer to close the gap to 67-66 with six seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Nethra Birudavolu drew a foul, and Iran’s Bereihi was disqualified with her fifth personal foul. With the clock winding down, India held their nerve as Iran’s final desperate attempt rimmed out, sealing a historic one-point win.
A Statement for Indian Basketball
This gold medal is more than just a trophy. It ends an eight-year wait for a return to Division A, where India will now test themselves against Asian powerhouses like China, Japan, and Australia in 2027.
AAI officials and head coach Anitha Pauldurai hailed the team’s effort, describing it as a stepping stone toward bigger goals. The exposure to higher-level competition will be vital in shaping the next generation of Indian basketball stars, while this win also underscores the steady progress of India’s grassroots development programs.
For the players, the victory validates years of effort and sacrifice. For the sport in India, it signals belief that basketball can indeed compete on the continental stage.
The 67-66 triumph over Iran will go down as one of the most dramatic wins in India’s youth basketball history. With this team’s unity, defensive grit, and individual brilliance, they have already achieved something unprecedented but the bigger challenge lies ahead.
India now heads back to Division A with renewed confidence, determined not just to compete but to establish themselves among Asia’s best. For now, though, the young Blue Tigresses can bask in the glory of being crowned FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup Division B Champions 2025 and dream of even greater heights.
