FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers: India lose to Kazakhstan 50-63 in opener
Opting to start the game with veterans Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Amritpal Singh on the bench, India began strong before the hosts pulled away through the middle quarters
The Indian men’s basketball team received a harsh wake up call, as the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers got underway in Astana, Kazakhstan yesterday.
Facing the hosts in the uniquely constructed Saryarka Velodrome - with elevated cycling tracks surrounding the basketball court at the basin - India not only had to contend with an away crowd, but also its lack of competitive match practice.
The last time these two teams had faced off was in the Olympics Pre-Qualifiers in August 2023, where India suffered a narrow 70-73 defeat.
Hopes were raised initially as India began the game on a positive note, opening up a 5-0 lead.
Coach Matic’s bold strategy of opting to start with veterans Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Amritpal Singh on the bench appeared to pay off.
India led 16-13 in the first quarter, thanks in large part to the aggressive inside presence of Palpreet Singh Brar - who seems to have hit a purple patch of late. Mentally and physically, Brar was up for the challenge, controlling the paint on both ends of the floor.
Kazakhstan’s middle quarters’ dominance
In the middle quarters though, Kazakhstan’s superior ball movement, spacing and outside shooting began to have a telling impact, as the ‘Steppenwolves’ built a 44-33 lead, sizeable in the context of a low scoring game.
India was restricted to just seven points in the third frame, settling for quick outside shots and unable to find a foothold around the basket.
The final ten minutes saw an initial surge by India, bringing the deficit down to six, at 41-47, but there was no stopping Kazakhstan’s shooters, led by 31-year-old Rustam Murzagaliyev. Murzagaliyev alone accounted for six of Kazakhstan’s 10 threes. In sharp contrast, India was a paltry 4/23 (17.4%) from beyond the arc, and this statistic alone proved to be the key difference between the two otherwise equally matched teams.
India’s uphill task
While Matic made a valid point in the post match press conference, on the continued lack of competitive practice prior to crucial international tournaments, the 13-point margin of defeat to arguably the weakest opposition in the group, begs many questions.
Defensively, India’s inability to close out on Kazakhs shooters, giving them wide open looks throughout the game, is a fatal flaw that needs to be addressed. Offensively, the side showed miniminal man and ball movement, and was unable to get quality looks whether from outside or around the basket. Some of the Indian players’ shot selection - attempting too early in the clock, is another aspect that needs to be addressed.
Individually, barring spirited efforts from point guard M Arvind Kumar and centre Brar, virtually all others put in sub-par performances. Vaunted names like Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Princepal Singh - were unable to even get on the scoreboards.
Overall, despite being only one game into the Asia Cup Qualifiers, India is already staring down the barrel as it takes on the heavily favoured Iran in Delhi on February 26.
India (M Arvind Kumar 17 pts @ +19 Eff) lost to Kazakhstan (Rustam Murzagaliyev 18 pts) 50-63 [16-13, 10-18, 7-13]
***
If you've come this far...
Appeal to readers - ₹₹ Support Ekalavyas: Ekalavyas is India's first and only basketball media company. We are not foreign-funded, nor investor backed. Your support and encouragement have got us this far. We now need your financial assistance to ensure we can keep providing you timely, accurate and important information. Please contribute via https://www.instamojo.com/@ekalavyas 🙏🏾. We are accepting contributions as low as Rs. 9/- (excluding a small processing fee charged by the payment gateway provider). Thank you for playing a part in keeping media independent and objective!
We will rise but the culture need some upgradation.