India Beat Kazakhstan 82-61 to keep FIBA U18 Asia Cup campaign alive
The Young Cagers bounced back from consecutive defeats to Japan and Korea to secure third place in Group D and a spot in the qualification to Quarter-Finals round.
India entered their final group-stage game at the Veer Savarkar Stadium in Ahmedabad with their knockout hopes on the line. They built their advantage, quarter by quarter, against Kazakhstan to close out the group stage with a much-needed victory.
A Tight Start
Kazakhstan matched India early in the game, with the hosts taking a narrow 22-21 lead after the opening quarter.
India then began to pull away in the second period, outscoring Kazakhstan 23-15 to take a 45-36 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive. The home side tightened up defensively while continuing to attack the basket effectively, winning the period 20-11 and taking a 65-47 lead into the final quarter, where they remained composed to close out an 82-61 victory.
India Dominate the Paint
The Indian team’s biggest advantage came inside the paint, where they scored 50 points compared to Kazakhstan’s 26. The hosts also dominated the battle for second-chance opportunities, scoring 23 second-chance points.
India converted Kazakhstan’s turnovers into 24 points and added 18 fast-break points, reflecting the impact of their defensive pressure. The Young Cagers finished with 56 rebounds, including 23 offensive boards.
Piyush Choudhary was India’s leading scorer, producing a game-high 25 points.
Knockout Stage
The victory sees India finish third in Group D, behind Japan and Korea, after a 1/2 record.
With the group stage now complete, India moves into the knockout phase and will face Iran in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals game on August 20.
The game represents India’s next opportunity to reach the quarter-finals and continue their campaign on home soil.
The last time the men’s U18 team progressed beyond the group stage was in 2024, when they reached the quarter-finals in Jordan. They secured their place in the last eight after edging Lebanon 64-62 in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals game.
However, India’s run ended in the quarter-finals against eventual bronze medallists China, who dominated the contest, winning 89-43.
Two years on, India once again find themselves one win away from the quarter-finals. This time, with Iran standing between them and a place in the last eight.
After a difficult start to the tournament, India’s victory over Kazakhstan gives them momentum heading into the August 20 knockout clash and a chance to better their 2024 run.
India (Piyush Choudhary 25pts & 8reb & 4ast, Ansh Tomer 17pts & 13reb, Shekhar Rathee 8pts & 11ast & 7stl) bt Kazakhstan (Sayan Mamutov 24pts & 7reb, Adil Sultanov 9pts, Sanzhar Aubakirov 8pts & 5reb) 82-61 [22-21, 23-15, 20-11, 17-14]
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