Indian Women's Basketball Team Jumps 19 Places in FIBA Rankings
The Young Cagers’ noteworthy leap from world No. 79 to No. 60 in six months shows how participation alone can rapidly elevate global rankings.
On February 9, 2025, the Indian women’s basketball team was ranked No. 79 in the world.
The Young Cagers have now surged 19 places to No. 60 in the latest FIBA Women’s World Ranking updated as of August 8, 2025.
The country also rose to No. 12 in Asia, with 136.7 rating points.
How FIBA Rankings work
FIBA’s ranking is based on every official game played over the last eight years. Its points model heavily weights recency, competition stage, and opponent strength. Crucially, teams earn points even in defeat, based on the loss margin. Adjustments are also made for home/away status.
In some instances, even returning to regular competition can move a team up quickly.
In short, teams earn points just by participating.
That’s exactly India’s story.
Breakdown of India’s Ranking Jump
After last playing in Division A in 2021, the country returned to the international calendar in 2025, having missed the 2023 Women’s Asia Cup. Merely being back on court, in Division B in Shenzhen, China, generated fresh, recent results that the algorithm values more heavily.
Beyond ‘turning up,’ India also secured wins in Division B. The team beat Kazakhstan 85–68 and Tahiti 78–55 before falling to Thailand in the semifinal qualifiers. Those official games boosted India’s recent history average. Paired with the time decay that downplays older inactivity, it helped produce the +19 jump.
Women’s Basketball: A Faster Route Upward
Ranking volatility is also higher in the mid & low tiers, where the Indian women’s basketball team currently finds itself.
This dynamic environment stems from several factors. Fluctuating performances, varying levels of player development, and continuously changing rosters, along with increased participation in regional FIBA tournaments, all play a part.
Therefore, simply consistent participation in the Asia Cup sub-zone qualifiers (which was recently reintroduced in the women’s section at the South Asian level), and the subsequent Asia Cup ‘Main Event’ - whether Division B or Division A, can continue delivering positive returns on the women’s side.
While India’s men also advanced in the rankings to No. 76 from No. 81 due to their Asia Cup Qualifier wins, the women’s progression pathway offers arguably better RoI. Hence, prioritising investment and game time for the women may yield faster global recognition and clearer gains.
That said, similar such substantial ‘one-time’ jumps in the Indian women’s basketball team ranking are unlikely, now that the ‘return to international competition’ aspect has already been factored in.
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