On August 5th, the Indian men’s basketball team will step onto the court in Jeddah to face Jordan in their opening game of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
At first glance, the contest appears tilted heavily in Jordan’s favour. Ranked 35th in the world with 372.1 points, Jordan sit far ahead of India, who are ranked 76th with 127.3 points. History also paints a one-sided picture: since 2014, Jordan have won all seven official encounters between the two teams, often by wide margins including a commanding 98-63 victory in the last meeting in February 2023.
Yet beyond the statistics lies a richer, more complex narrative. For India, this match isn’t just about chasing a surprise win; it’s about measuring progress against a higher-ranked opponent, testing new tactical approaches, and showing that their recent improvements on the Asian stage can translate into greater competitiveness against the region’s best. For Jordan, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm their dominance, sharpen tactics, and build early momentum in a tough Group C that also features China and Saudi Arabia.
Contrasting Roads to Jeddah
The journey to the Asia Cup has been very different for the two teams and it helps explain why expectations are so different.
Jordan’s path has been marked by impressive consistency. In the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, they topped Group D with a perfect 6-0 record, defeating teams like Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Palestine, and rarely looking troubled. Their core of experienced internationals Ahmad Al-Dwairi, Freddy Ibrahim, and naturalised star Rondae Hollis Jefferson gave them balance, inside presence and scoring depth. Even their recent preparation games show how seriously they take the build-up: wins over the Philippines and Syria, plus tests against Lebanon, Egypt and Iran, indicate a team aiming to fine-tune rather than simply coast.
More than just the numbers, Jordan bring experience from the highest level. In 2023, they competed at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, facing the world’s top teams, including the USA. While results there were tough, the exposure to elite pace and physicality strengthened team chemistry and tactical awareness. It’s these layers of experience that make them dangerous, especially against teams like India, who have fewer chances to play at that level.
India’s road, by contrast, has been one of resilience and redemption. Their initial performance in the Asia Cup Qualifiers was difficult: placed in Group E alongside Iran, Qatar and Kazakhstan, they finished third with a 1-5 record. Heavy defeats to Iran (106-55) and Qatar (81-61) highlighted defensive gaps and offensive struggles. Yet they showed flashes of what they can do notably in an 88-69 win over Kazakhstan, led by dynamic performances from Muin Bek Hafeez and Pranav Prince.
Where India truly showed character was in the final qualifying phase. Drawn into Group H alongside Iraq and Bahrain, they needed two wins to secure a place in the Asia Cup and delivered. A 97-77 win over Iraq, followed by an 81-77 victory against Bahrain, booked their ticket to Jeddah for an 11th consecutive Asia Cup appearance. These wins were built on sharper execution, better three-point shooting, and the ability of leaders like Hafeez, Prince, and Amritpal Singh to step up in high-pressure moments.
Key Matchups and What to Watch
While Jordan come in as favourite, the dynamics on the court may still offer intrigue.
Inside Battle: Ahmad Al-Dwairi vs. Amritpal Singh
Dwairi’s rebounding and low-post scoring are cornerstones of Jordan’s attack. India’s Amritpal Singh, experienced and physical, will have the tough task of limiting Dwairi’s influence. Success here could help India avoid giving up too many second-chance points.
Playmaking: Freddy Ibrahim vs. Pranav Prince
Ibrahim is central to Jordan’s offense, averaging over 13 points and six assists during the World Cup. Prince, part of India’s new generation, has been effective in transition and can score or create. His decision-making under pressure will be tested by Jordan’s disciplined defense.
Scoring Wings: Rondae Hollis Jefferson vs. Muin Bek Hafeez
Hollis Jefferson brings athleticism and creativity; Hafeez is India’s most consistent scorer, especially from the perimeter. If Hafeez can find space and get hot early, it might keep India competitive.
Beyond individual battles, the biggest question is whether India can match Jordan’s defensive organisation. In recent friendlies, Jordan kept the Philippines to 61 points showing they can close down space and force teams into low-percentage shots. India’s recent scoring bursts have relied on quick ball movement and three-point shooting; sustained pressure could disrupt that rhythm.
Historical Weight and New Opportunities
History leans heavily Jordan’s way. Since 2014, India have lost every game against Jordan, often by large margins: 35 points in 2023, 44 points in 2018. Only once in the last decade a 61-54 game in 2017 did India come close. These results underscore not just a difference in talent but also in depth, tactical clarity and professional league experience. Yet India arrive in Jeddah with more reasons for quiet optimism than in past tournaments. The emergence of players like Prince and Hafeez offers scoring beyond traditional big men like Amritpal. Their recent wins against Iraq and Bahrain show they can close games under pressure. The squad is young, but it is learning to adapt.
Indian Basketball Team Gears Up for FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Challenge in Jeddah
If India can keep turnovers low, rebound effectively and hit three-pointers at a good percentage, they could force Jordan into a closer game than the rankings suggest. For Jordan, the key will be to assert control early, using their superior depth and experience to stretch the gap. For Jordan, this is about momentum. A strong start will set them up for tougher matches against China and the host Saudi Arabia. For India, it’s about showing they belong: closing the historical margin, making Jordan work hard, and proving that their recent development can stand up on Asia’s biggest stage.
Victory for India would be a historic upset, but even a competitive game could mark progress for Indian basketball. It would send a message: that the gap, while real, is no longer unbridgeable. As the teams take the floor on August 5th, fans will see more than just a game; they’ll see two basketball stories at very different stages. One, a program seeking to remain among Asia’s elite; the other, fighting to get there.
And in sport, sometimes the fight itself can be just as compelling as the scoreboard.
