India breaches All-Time Scoring Record in 151-20 Win Over Maldives
India’s U16 boys team steamrolls the hosts at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SABA Qualifiers held at the Youth Centre Indoor Stadium in Male.
June 14, 2025 – Male, Maldives: In what is arguably the highest-scoring game ever recorded by any Indian national basketball team across age categories and genders, India’s U16 boys team steamrolled Maldives 151-20 yesterday during the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SABA Qualifiers held at the Youth Centre Indoor Stadium.
Led by head coach Ram Kumar Gahlawat, the young Indian squad delivered a statement performance marked by relentless pace, surgical efficiency, and suffocating defense. India dropped a staggering 41 points in the first quarter alone and never looked back, following it up with 38, 43, and 29 points in the remaining three quarters, respectively.
The 151-point total could very well be a new all-time high for any Indian national basketball team in an official FIBA-sanctioned competition — across both senior and junior levels, male or female. If confirmed, this would surpass previously recorded highs and mark a watershed moment in the scoring history of Indian basketball.
Balanced Onslaught
India’s scoring barrage was evenly distributed across the roster. Eleven of the twelve players registered points, with Mohammed Sani Gauri leading the charge at 22 points on an ultra-efficient 11-of-14 shooting. Tohid Shaikh followed closely with a double-double performance: 20 points and 14 rebounds. Captain Krishna Suneriya added 10 points and a game-high 8 assists, controlling the tempo with poise.
Other key contributors included Ansh Tomer (19 points), Sujeet Uma Shankar (19 points), and Shekhar Rathee (17 points), all showcasing their ability to finish around the rim and in transition. India’s bench accounted for a remarkable 82 points — a number that itself would have beaten the Maldives total by more than fourfold.
Dominance by the Numbers
India shot 61% from the field (64-of-104), pounded the paint for 116 points, and racked up 77 rebounds. They forced 49 turnovers, converting those into 77 points — showcasing not only their athleticism but also their ability to capitalize off opposition mistakes. A 33-point unanswered scoring run and a peak lead of 131 points underscored just how lopsided the contest was.
Meanwhile, Maldives struggled to get any rhythm going. They finished with just 8 made field goals on 64 attempts (12.5%), including a woeful 1-of-20 from beyond the arc. Only Zyle Hameed (5 points) and Eyal Abdulla Nasheed (4 points) made a noticeable dent on the scoreboard.
Through to Finals
This is the second straight win for the Indian boys, securing them a spot in the finals with one group phase game against Sri Lanka remaining (which the team went on to win 111-79). India is the defending champions at this event that serves as the qualifier to the Asia Cup later this year.
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