India vs New Zealand: Preview, prediction, players to watch, live stream, FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025

Indian Cagers finishes second in the final standings of men’s pool B at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025.

India will face New Zealand in the second quarterfinal game of the knockout phase in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 on the afternoon of March 30. The game will be played at the Kallang Sports Hub in Singapore and can be viewed in India at 2:45 PM IST.

On March 28, India fought hard but fell short of closing out against a strong Chinese side in a closely contested 21-19 loss in their last game of Group B in the main draw phase. India took an early lead, with Arvind Kumar Muthukrishnan delivering a stellar performance, scoring 10 points. Pranav Prince (5 points) and Harsh Dagar (4 points) also contributed with key plays. However, China, being a strong contender to finish top three, capitalized on free throws and crucial baskets to stay in the game.

Also Read: FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025: Live Streaming, TV Channel, where & how to watch?

Fouls proved costly for India, allowing China multiple trips to the free-throw line, where they kept the scoreboard ticking. In the final moments, with the score tied at 19-19, China sealed the win with a clutch two-pointer. Despite the loss, India’s performance against the top side highlighted their potential, showcasing resilience and competitiveness at the highest level.

Indian men’s 3×3 basketball team has reached the quarterfinals of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup for the first time since 2013. Their best performance before this was in the inaugural FIBA Asia 3×3 Championship, where they reached the quarterfinals but lost to Saudi Arabia 18-5. In subsequent editions, the team did not advance past the pool stages, finishing 9th in 2017 and 2022, 11th in 2023, and 13th in 2024. Therefore, the 2025 quarterfinal appearance marks a significant achievement for the Indian men’s 3×3 basketball team.

Match Details:

• Fixture: India vs New Zealand (Quarterfinal 2)
• Date: March 30, 2025
• Time: 2:45 PM IST
• Venue: Kallang Sports Hub, Singapore

India’s squad

• Harsh Dagar
• Arvind Muthu
• Pranav Prince
• Kushal Singh

New Zealand’s squad

• Zach Hannen
• Te Tuhi ki te Rangi David Lewis
• Christian Craig Martin
• Aidan Tonge

India’s path to the quarterfinals:

India’s campaign in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 began in the Qualifying Draw Pool B, 26-27 March they dominated the QD with a 3-0 record, securing the spot in the main draw with convincing wins over the Philippines (21-11), South Korea (17-15), and Macau (21-6) to qualify for the Main Draw thanks to the heroics of Harsh Dagar who averaged a dozen points. On March 28, they continued their strong run in the Main Draw of Pool B, scoring a total of 40 points.

They started the main draw by edging past Chinese Taipei 21-18, with Arvind Kumar Muthukrishnan leading the charge with 9 points. However, in a tightly contested battle against China, India fell short in a 21-19 loss despite leading 15-13 at one stage. Arvind once again delivered for India, scoring 10 points, with valuable contributions from Pranav Prince and Harsh Dagar through the main draw.

As they enter the knockout phase, India’s strengths lie in their offensive firepower and resilience in defence, as seen in their close encounters against top teams. However, their inexperience in high-pressure knockout games remains a challenge. Riding the momentum from the qualification draw to the main draw, India has an opportunity to build confidence and push for a deep run.

The key challenge will be facing a higher-ranked opponent with a strong defensive setup, testing their ability to maintain composure in crucial moments. With history in the making, India’s young squad will look to seize the moment and make a statement in the quarterfinals.

New Zealand’s path to the quarterfinals

World No.22 New Zealand lost to silver medallists Iran in the semi-finals of the FIBA ​​3×3 Asia Cup 2024. They entered the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025 directly in the Main Draw, competing in Pool D. They secured the top seed with back-to-back victories, defeating Vietnam 21-15 and edging past Qatar 17-15. Te Tuhi ki te Rangi David Lewis emerged as their standout performer, leading the team in both games with 10 points each, showcasing his scoring prowess.

New Zealand’s strengths lie in their extensive experience in international competitions, which translates to their higher world ranking, giving them an edge in handling high-pressure situations. However, their weakness in tight matches, as seen in the close encounter against Qatar, could be a cause for concern. New Zealand has an opportunity to leverage their experience and exploit potential flaws in India’s defence.

Yet, they must be wary of India’s unpredictable and aggressive playstyle, which could disrupt their rhythm and put them under pressure. As they head into the quarterfinals, New Zealand will rely on their structured approach and composure to outmaneuver a hungry Indian side looking to make a mark.

Players to Watch:

India:

• Arvind Kumar Muthukrishnan – Top scorer with 19 points in the Main Draw.
• Harsh Dagar – Consistent performer throughout the campaign, leading the team with 34 points in the Qualifying Draw games.
• Pranav Prince – The athletic star of Indian basketball, providing crucial points when needed 9 points and defending the rim with an average of 2 blocks per game in the Main Draw.

New Zealand:

• Te Tuhi ki te Rangi David Lewis – Their top scorer and best player in the first two Main Draw games, poised to be a key factor against India.
• Christian Craig Martin and Aidan Tonge – Both have contributed significantly with scoring and rebounding, playing crucial roles in New Zealand’s success so far.

Prediction:

New Zealand enters as the stronger side due to their higher ranking and experience. For India to win, they must capitalize on their offensive strengths and maintain composure under pressure on defense. New Zealand should leverage their experience and focus on defensive solidity to counter India’s aggression.

With a semifinal berth at stake, both teams will look to bring their best in what promises to be an exciting clash.

Where and how to watch the live streaming and telecast of the India vs New Zealand quarter-final match in FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2025?

Viewers can watch the match live on FIBA 3×3’s official YouTube channel. Unfortunately, there is no information available about the live broadcast.

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