How Did India Fare Against China in the FIBA Asia Cup?
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Synopsis
In a tough match at the FIBA Asia Cup, the Indian men's basketball team faced a significant setback against China, suffering a loss of 69-100. With key players like Sahaij Sekhon stepping up, the team hopes to bounce back against Saudi Arabia in their next game. Can they turn their fortunes around?
Key Takeaways
- India's basketball team faced a tough loss against China, scoring 69 points against China's 100.
- Sahaij Sekhon led India's scoring with 14 points.
- China remains undefeated in Group C after their win against India.
- India's next match against Saudi Arabia is crucial for their chances in the tournament.
- India has a rich history in the FIBA Asia Cup, but recent performances have been challenging.
Jeddah, Aug 7 (NationPress) The Indian men's basketball team faced their second consecutive defeat in Group C of the FIBA Asia Cup, falling 69-100 to China on Thursday. Sahaij Sekhon emerged as India's leading scorer with 14 points, while Mingxuan Hu and Jiayi Zhao each contributed 17 points for China.
The match opened with Palpreet Singh Brar scoring the first points for India with a two-pointer. Nevertheless, China quickly took command of the game, launching a 12-point run which put them in a strong position. By the end of the first quarter, India was trailing 29-14. In the second quarter, China outperformed India again, stretching their lead to 53-31 by halftime, according to Olympics.com.
The 16-time champions, China, maintained their dominance in the final two quarters, concluding the game with a decisive victory over India, thereby remaining undefeated in Group C after previously winning against Saudi Arabia.
Following this defeat, marking India's fifth consecutive loss against China, the Indian team will face hosts and world No. 65 Saudi Arabia in their final group match on Saturday. A defeat against Saudi Arabia would result in India being eliminated from the FIBA Asia Cup.
Group winners will advance straight to the quarterfinals, while second and third-placed teams will enter a qualifying round to determine the remaining quarterfinal participants.
Since the FIBA Asia Cup's inception in 1960, India has consistently participated, missing only four of the 31 editions. Their most notable finish was in 1975 when they secured fourth place in Bangkok. However, their performance has waned in recent years, finishing 14th in Lebanon (2017) and 16th in Indonesia (2022). The last victory for India in this tournament was in 2015 in China.
In the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers last November, India made headlines by defeating higher-ranked Kazakhstan 88-69 in Chennai, marking their first victory over Kazakhstan in 27 years.
Pranav Prince, who scored 17 points during that match, is part of the squad traveling to Jeddah, captained by Muin Bek Hafeez. The team, coached by Scott Flemming, successfully qualified with victories over Bahrain (81-77) and Iraq (97-77) earlier this year.
Point of View
It is crucial to support our national teams while recognizing the challenges they face in international competitions. The Indian men's basketball team has a storied history but is currently undergoing a tough phase. Their efforts should be commended, and we must rally behind them as they aim for a comeback.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score of the India vs China match?
India lost to China with a score of 69-100 in the FIBA Asia Cup.
Who was India's top scorer in the game?
Sahaij Sekhon was India's top scorer with 14 points.
What is India's next match in the FIBA Asia Cup?
India will face Saudi Arabia in their next group match.
How many editions of the FIBA Asia Cup has India participated in?
India has participated in 27 of the 31 editions of the FIBA Asia Cup.
When was India's last win in the FIBA Asia Cup?
India's last victory in the FIBA Asia Cup was in 2015.
