India crush Maldives to reach final of SABA Women's Championship 2025

India will face Maldives in the final of the SABA Women’s Championship 2025.

The Indian women’s basketball team continued its dominant run in the SABA Women’s Championship 2025, securing a 113-25 victory over the Maldives at KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium. This emphatic win follows their 110-32 triumph over Nepal in the tournament opener, firmly establishing India as the team to beat.

With this win, India also secured their place in the tournament final, where they will once again face Maldives for the title on February 26 (Wednesday). Maldives, despite their defeat to India, qualified for the summit clash by beating Nepal in their other game on Monday.

Unstoppable from the start

From the opening tip, India imposed its authority, pressing high and capitalizing on Maldivian turnovers. The first quarter ended 26-8, and by half-time, the hosts had built an unassailable 56-13 lead. India’s depth shone through as the bench contributed a staggering 74 points, ensuring relentless scoring pressure throughout the game.

Sathya Krishnamurthi led the charge with 19 points, while Harshitha Kelttira Bopaiah added 16 points, showcasing India’s offensive depth. Meanwhile, Sruthy Rathinavel controlled the glass, hauling in 12 rebounds. The team’s ability to convert defense into offense was evident, scoring a remarkable 65 points from turnovers and outscoring the Maldives 43-0 on fast breaks.

Also Read: Know Your Squad: Indian women’s basketball team for SABA Women’s Championship 2025

Maldives struggles against India’s defense

The Maldives found it difficult to penetrate India’s defensive wall, shooting just 15.2% from the field. Their top scorer, Aminath Israau Abdul Shukoor, managed only six points, as India’s tight rotations stifled any offensive rhythm. The visitors also struggled with ball security, committing 42 turnovers, which India ruthlessly converted into easy buckets.

Top performers

India: (Sathya Krishnamurthi – 19 points, 5 assists, Harshitha Kelttira Bopaiah – 16 points, 2 rebounds, Sruthy Rathinavel – 11 points, 12 rebounds, Sreekala Rani (C) – 13 points, 8 assists) bt Maldives: (Aminath Israau Abdul Shukoor – 6 points, 5 rebounds, Raifa Ibrahim – 5 points, 2 rebounds, Fathmath E Hau Shameem – 5 points, 1 rebound) |113 – 25|[26-8, 30-5, 24-7, 33-5]

India to face Maldives in final

With this dominant victory, India have all but secured its place atop the standings. However, their campaign is far from over, as they will face Maldives again on February 26 in a rematch that will determine the tournament champion. A win in the final match will not only crown India as SABA champions but also secure qualification for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025.

Fans can catch all the action live on the official SABA YouTube channel, as India looks to cap off its dominant campaign with another statement victory.

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