In a contest that underlined the gulf in experience, tactical cohesion, and depth, China handed India a comprehensive 100–69 defeat at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, China controlled the tempo, executed crisp offensive sets, and forced India into numerous turnovers that translated into easy baskets. For India, there were individual flashes of brilliance, but collectively, the team was unable to match the structured precision and transition efficiency of their East Asian counterparts.
Quarter 1: China Seize Control Early
The game opened with China asserting dominance in both pace and physicality. A 12–2 run within the first five minutes set the tone for what would be a long night for the Indian defense. Center Jinqiu Hu wasted no time stamping his authority in the paint, converting multiple inside finishes and controlling the glass. Meanwhile, guards Mingxuan Hu and Junjie Wang stretched the floor with two timely 3-pointers that punished India’s lagging perimeter rotations.
India, despite starting strong with an alley-oop finish from Palpreet Singh Brar, soon lost offensive rhythm. A string of turnovers, including a backcourt violation by Kanwar Sandhu and multiple offensive fouls, derailed any momentum they tried to build. Their inability to protect the ball allowed China to convert defense into offense seamlessly.
India’s shooting woes were equally concerning. They attempted only one three-pointer in the quarter—a missed effort by Harsh Dagar—and failed to finish several open looks near the basket. Late buckets by Princepal Singh, Sahaij Sekhon, and Arvind Krishnan managed to reduce the damage, but China had already built a formidable 29–14 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Q2: China Build a Wall While Extending the Lead
If India had hoped to regroup in the second period, those plans were quickly dismantled by China’s relentless execution. The hosts extended their lead from 15 to 22 points with a balanced approach. Mingxuan Hu again hit from deep, while Jinqiu Hu and Sanning Liao dominated the mid-range and interior zones with layups, put-backs, and smart cuts. China’s ball movement was crisp often involving four or five touches before an open shot leaving the Indian defense chasing shadows.
India attempted to respond with Arvind Krishnan driving aggressively to the rim and Princepal Singh draining a rare three-pointer. Sekhon, too, hit a late triple in the quarter. But once again, turnovers proved costly. India failed to manage full-court pressure and committed several errors, including bad passes and traveling violations.
The most telling statistic from the quarter was in transition scoring: China turned every Indian mistake into a quick bucket, while India rarely capitalized on fast break chances of their own. Missed free throws and lack of second-chance conversions further added to India’s woes.
By halftime, China had built a commanding 53–31 lead effectively sealing the result unless India could engineer a miraculous turnaround.
Q3: More of the Same as China Maintain the Stranglehold
China picked up in the third quarter right where they left off disciplined, relentless, and ruthless. Jiayi Zhao, Sanning Liao, and Shuaipeng Cheng stepped up as the scoring trio, keeping India’s defense spread out and guessing. Cheng, in particular, orchestrated the tempo from the top of the key, initiating fast breaks and delivering precise assists.
India tried to push back, with Arvind Krishnan continuing to impress through floaters and a well-timed three-pointer. Harsh Dagar and Princepal Singh added layups that provided momentary relief, but India’s struggles in half-court offense remained apparent. The team failed to execute sets with discipline, often resorting to rushed shots late in the clock.
Traveling violations and inattentive passing allowed China to run riot on the break. Several times, the Indian transition defense failed to recover quickly enough, resulting in uncontested layups or corner three-pointers for the Chinese shooters.
With the score reading 75–48 at the end of Q3, the writing was on the wall. The Chinese bench contributed heavily during this phase, highlighting their depth and ability to sustain intensity across quarters.
Q4: China Break the Century Mark; India Salvage Pride
As the final quarter commenced, China turned on the style. Their ball movement remained fluid, their spacing perfect, and their transition execution textbook. Meng Lei, Shuaipeng Cheng, and Jiayi Zhao took turns punishing India’s sagging perimeter defense, while Sanning Liao continued to clean up the boards and add put-back points.
China crossed the 100-point mark with two minutes to spare an emphatic statement of their offensive efficiency and defensive suffocation.
India, to their credit, didn’t fold. Harsh Dagar and Sahaij Sekhon hit back-to-back three-pointers midway through the quarter. Palpreet Brar thundered home a dunk that ignited the bench. Pranav Prince battled hard under the rim, drawing fouls and collecting rebounds. It was a stretch that showed India’s fighting spirit, even if the scoreboard didn’t reward them generously.
However, every time India threatened a mini-run, China answered immediately. Whether it was a baseline jumper, a cutting layup, or a transition three, the Chinese responded with clinical precision.
The game fittingly ended with an Indian three-point attempt bouncing out, rebounded confidently by China—a symbol of the night’s narrative: China were a step ahead in execution, athleticism, and decision-making.
Key Stats & Takeaways
- Turnovers: India committed over 20 turnovers, many of which led directly to Chinese fast-break points.
- Three-Point Shooting: China outshot India from beyond the arc, with multiple players hitting from deep. India’s few attempts yielded little success.
- Bench Depth: China’s rotation stayed strong throughout, with nearly every player contributing on both ends.
- India’s Bright Spots: Arvind Krishnan’s scoring runs, Princepal Singh’s inside presence, and Harsh Dagar’s fourth-quarter burst were positives.
The victory reinforces China’s position as a powerhouse in Asian basketball. Their tactical discipline, physical edge, and bench depth make them clear contenders for the FIBA Asia Cup title. Their ability to force turnovers and convert them into high-percentage shots was a masterclass in modern transition offense.
The loss is a tough pill, but not without learnings. India continues to rely on moments of individual brilliance rather than system-based execution. The team’s struggle with turnovers, spacing, and perimeter defense remains a concern. However, players like Krishnan, Sekhon, and Dagar are promising building blocks, and games like this can help raise their maturity and resilience.
The defensive lapses and missed opportunities on the offensive glass were clear issues. India’s next task will be reducing turnovers and increasing their three-point shooting accuracy if they hope to compete against similarly strong sides like South Korea or Iran.
Final Score: China 100 – India 69
This game was more than a lopsided result it was a reflection of where Indian basketball currently stands relative to the continent’s elite. There’s potential. There’s hunger. But there’s also a long road ahead. If India can channel the frustration into tactical refinement and better preparation, games like these can become stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.
