Five key takeaways from India's campaign at FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Round 1

The Indian men’s basketball team did well to finish third in the Group of Death and advance to the final qualifying tournament.

India’s journey through the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers was a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and moments of promise. Despite securing just one victory in six games, a historic 88-69 triumph over Kazakhstan, India did well to finish third in Group E—Group of death—and advance to the final qualifying tournament.

The campaign also witnessed a significant coaching transition and flashes of brilliant individual performances, offering much for Indian basketball fans to reflect upon. Here are five key takeaways from India’s qualifiers:

Key takeaways from India’s campaign at FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers

1. Historic win over Kazakhstan

Few moments in recent Indian basketball history have been as exhilarating as the win over Kazakhstan in Chennai. For the first time since 1997, India bested Kazakhstan in an official FIBA competition, doing so in dominant fashion. The Nehru Indoor Stadium erupted as India delivered a stellar performance, fueled by the energy of over 13,000 passionate fans.

“Not everybody gets to feel this way, playing in their home court… The crowd was crazy today,” said Muin Bek Hafeez after the game. This victory wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that Indian basketball, when provided the right conditions, can produce moments of brilliance.

2. Coaching transition from Matic to Flemming

The transition from Veselin Matic (2019–2024) to Scott Flemming as head coach played a pivotal role in shaping India’s campaign. Flemming, a well-known figure in Indian basketball, previously led the senior Indian men’s basketball team from 2012 to 2015. His return brought a renewed emphasis on discipline, tactical refinement, and enhanced player coordination.

The impact was evident early on, with the team demonstrating more structured defensive schemes and improved offensive fluidity. However, adapting to a new system mid-qualifiers proved challenging, and inconsistencies remained.

Also Read: ‘I can’t imagine my life without India’ – Coach Scott Flemming’s vision, adaptation and nurturing Indian basketball ‘brick by brick’

Flemming’s coaching philosophy prioritizes the development of homegrown talent over reliance on naturalized players. He has stressed the need for a stronger player pipeline, citing that many Indian-origin players abroad are ineligible due to passport restrictions. Additionally, the reluctance of diaspora athletes to forgo their current citizenship further limits potential talent acquisition.

As a result, Flemming is focused on strengthening domestic talent, ensuring that India’s basketball ecosystem nurtures players capable of competing at the highest levels.

The real test for Flemming lies ahead—harnessing India’s potential to build a competitive unit before the next major tournament after the Asia Cup Qualification window.

3. Home advantage not fully utilized

While the victory over Kazakhstan showcased the power of home support, subsequent home losses revealed the weight of expectations. Playing before a roaring crowd can be inspiring, but it also adds pressure. India’s inability to close out crucial moments in other home games highlighted the need for greater composure and mental resilience. To capitalize on home advantage in the future, the team must learn to thrive under expectations rather than succumb to them.

Also Read: FIBA Asia Cup 2025: Defending champions Australia, 11 more teams advance to tournament finals

4. Pranav Prince, Muin Bek Hafeez among top performers

Despite the team’s overall challenges, individual performances provided hope. Pranav Prince emerged as India’s most efficient player, leading the team with an average efficiency rating of 14.0 per game. He also contributed 10.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, showcasing his versatility and all-around impact on the court.

Muin Bek Hafeez followed with an efficiency rating of 10.0, adding 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Amjyot Singh, while leading in scoring with 10.5 points per game, maintained an efficiency rating of 8.5.

Building around these key players and developing a system that leverages their strengths could significantly enhance the team’s prospects. However, India has yet to establish a core team, which remains crucial for improving their competitiveness in international tournaments.

5. What’s next for Indian Basketball?

The defeats, both home and away, exposed critical areas for improvement—particularly in defensive consistency and late-game execution. India struggled to maintain intensity throughout all four quarters, often fading right after a good first quarter in the latter stages of games, especially in the second quarter.

Competing against top-tier teams like Iran, Kazakhstan and Qatar provided invaluable experience, but translating those lessons into results requires a well-structured development plan.

Also Read: India advance to final qualifying round of FIBA Asia Cup 2025

India’s journey in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers is not over yet. With a 1-5 record, and third-place finish in the group stage, they now have another opportunity to book their ticket to Jeddah through the Final Qualifying Tournament—which will involve all third-placed teams from Groups A to F, playing for the remaining four qualifications spots.

India, as one of the third-placed teams, have been paired with Iraq and Bahrain in Group H (West Zone). The East Zone group (G) has Guam, Chinese Taipei and Thailand. The competition will follow a round-robin format, with only the top two teams advancing to the main tournament in Jeddah. Matches will be played across two venues, Taipei City (East Zone) and Manama City (West Zone) from March 19 to 23.

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