A blistering three-minute stretch from A. Anantharaj turned a tense contest on its head as Tamil Nadu stormed into the semifinals of the 75th Senior National Basketball Championship with an emphatic 87–57 win over Kerala at the Nehru Indoor Stadium on Friday.
What had been an evenly poised quarterfinal was transformed into a one-sided affair by an individual burst rarely seen at this level of domestic competition. The 29-year-old Anantharaj produced a stunning 24-point surge in the closing three minutes of the third quarter, effectively breaking Kerala’s resistance. Overall, he finished the game with six three-pointers from nine attempts, combining accuracy with timing to devastating effect. By the time Kerala regrouped, the damage had been done.
A Tight First Half
The opening half was a battle of patience and physicality. Kerala, led by A.S. Sharath, matched Tamil Nadu possession for possession, ensuring the hosts never settled into their rhythm. Sharath’s 17-point haul kept Kerala competitive, while Aaron Varghese Bleesen added valuable support.
The lead changed hands repeatedly in the first quarter, which ended 15–15, reflecting the evenly matched nature of the contest. Tamil Nadu edged ahead in the second quarter but found no breathing space, heading into halftime with a narrow 36–34 advantage. Kerala’s defensive discipline and controlled offence kept the reigning champions under pressure.
Everything changed after the break. Tamil Nadu emerged with renewed intent, raising the tempo at both ends of the floor. Anantharaj, quiet by his standards in the first half, suddenly caught fire. He scored 13 points in the third quarter, including three three-pointers, before delivering the decisive knockout punch in the final minutes of the period.
In a breathtaking sequence, Tamil Nadu went on an 18-point run across the third and fourth quarters, racing from a marginal lead to a 24-point cushion in just five minutes. Kerala struggled to cope with the speed of ball movement and the precision shooting, and the contest was effectively sealed before the final quarter began.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Tamil Nadu’s supporting cast ensured there was no let-up. Pranav Prince contributed 10 points, while the defense tightened around the perimeter, forcing Kerala into low-percentage shots. The hosts’ ability to convert defensive stops into quick points underlined why they remain among the strongest sides in the tournament.
Delhi Edge Karnataka in Thriller
Earlier in the day, Delhi secured their semifinal spot with a hard-fought 80–73 victory over Karnataka. Delhi’s early dominance was set up by Ravi Bhardwaj, who scored 10 of the team’s first 13 points, giving his side early momentum.
As the game progressed, Jeethandar Singh and Ayush Sharma took charge, combining scoring efficiency with composure in key moments. Karnataka mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, led by Sumanth Satyanarayan, whose driving lay-ups and three-pointers helped reduce a 15-point deficit to just six.
However, Delhi held their nerve in the closing minutes, scoring twice—including crucial free throws to prevent a late turnaround and book their place in the last four. The men’s quarterfinals saw Uttar Pradesh edge Rajasthan 93–90 in a high-scoring encounter, with Harsh Dagar leading the way with 30 points. Railways also advanced comfortably, defeating Telangana 82–53 with a balanced scoring effort.
In the women’s quarterfinals, drama and dominance went hand in hand. Madhya Pradesh edged Karnataka 64–63, while Tamil Nadu survived a late push to beat Maharashtra 72–70. Railways delivered the most emphatic result of the day, crushing Gujarat 101–17, and Kerala overpowered Delhi 91–54.
As the tournament heads into its decisive stages, Anantharaj’s explosive display stands out as a reminder of how quickly momentum can swing in knockout basketball—and why Tamil Nadu remain serious title contenders.
