The 2025 competitive season will be remembered as a watershed moment for Indian U16 women’s national basketball programme, a year that combined results, structure, and belief into a rare alignment.
Under the stewardship of head coach Anitha Pauldurai, India not only reclaimed continental relevance but did so with authority, finishing the season with an extraordinary 87.5 per cent win rate across both 5×5 and 3×3 formats.
Across three major international assignments the SABA Qualifiers in New Delhi, the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup Division B in Malaysia, and the Asian Youth Games 3×3 competition in Bahrain India recorded 14 wins from 16 matches, including a perfect 9–0 record in 5×5 basketball. More importantly, the campaign culminated in promotion to Division A for the 2027 cycle, returning India to Asia’s top tier for the first time since 2017.
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At the heart of this resurgence was Anitha Pauldurai, whose influence extended far beyond tactics. A former national captain and Padma Shri awardee, Pauldurai brought clarity and calm to a group that had previously struggled with expectation. Her coaching philosophy in 2025 was rooted in defensive accountability, transition efficiency, and mental resilience—elements that consistently separated India from its opponents.
Pauldurai emphasised a “one-game-at-a-time” approach, insulating her players from the larger narrative of redemption. This was evident in tight moments, particularly during the Asia Cup Division B knockout stages, where composure proved decisive. The team’s ability to close games under pressure marked a clear departure from earlier cycles.
Regional Supremacy at the SABA Qualifiers
India’s campaign began in emphatic fashion at the SABA Qualifiers in New Delhi, where the gulf in class between India and the rest of South Asia was stark. Victories such as 137–13 against Bangladesh and 136–21 against the Maldives underlined India’s superior conditioning, ball movement, and defensive intensity.
The final against Sri Lanka, a 103–52 win, served as a confirmation rather than a contest. India averaged over 120 points per game in the tournament while conceding fewer than 35 points, using the event to fine-tune rotations and establish leadership roles within the squad. The core group Viha Reddy Jonnalagadda, Mahek Sharma, Reva Kulkarni and Nethra Birudavolu emerged as the spine of the national programme.
The real examination came at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup Division B in Seremban, Malaysia. Unlike the regional qualifiers, this was a competition defined by physicality and tactical nuance. India’s opening 70–67 win over Iran immediately signalled that margins would be fine and mistakes costly.
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India topped Group A with a 3–0 record, adapting effectively against contrasting styles. The semi-final against Indonesia proved to be a turning point. Trailing momentum deep into the fourth quarter, India responded with an 11–0 run driven by defensive pressure and timely shooting. The 65–53 victory reflected not dominance, but maturity.
The final against Iran was a contest of nerve. Iran’s Mobina Bereihi produced a remarkable 30-point performance, cutting India’s lead to a single point in the closing seconds. Yet India’s composure under pressure held firm, sealing a 67–66 victory and the Division B title. Viha Reddy’s 21-point, 10-rebound effort epitomised the team’s balance of skill and strength.
Following their 5×5 success, the same core transitioned to 3×3 basketball at the Asian Youth Games in Manama. The format demanded faster decisions, sharper isolation play and defensive switching. India responded with five wins from seven games, invoking the 21-point rule repeatedly in group play. Victories over Sri Lanka, Maldives, Palestine and Mongolia highlighted India’s adaptability. However, defeats against Thailand in the group stage and Iran in the quarter-finals exposed the volatility of the format. The quarter-final loss to Iran also ended India’s hopes of qualification for the 2026 Youth Olympics, though the 5–2 record still contributed to India’s historic medal tally at the Games.
The success of 2025 was underpinned by consistent performances from a defined core. Viha Reddy Jonnalagadda emerged as the programme’s centrepiece, leading the Asia Cup in efficiency while contributing across scoring, rebounding and rim protection. Mahek Sharma controlled the boards, averaging nearly 14 rebounds per game, while Reva Kulkarni’s perimeter shooting stretched defences at critical moments. Nethra Birudavolu orchestrated the offence with poise, leading the tournament in assists and steals.
Looking Ahead to Division A
Promotion to Division A brings both opportunity and reality. The gap to teams like Australia, Japan and New Zealand remains significant, particularly in pace and depth. Yet 2025 established a blueprint built on defensive structure, mental toughness and continuity in coaching.
India’s U16 women did more than win a title this year they redefined expectations. The challenge now lies in sustaining this momentum and translating belief into long-term competitiveness at Asia’s highest level.
