India finish runners-up in CAVA Men's Nations League 2025 after final defeat to Iran

Despite the final loss, India will return with their head held high from the CAVA Men’s Nations League 2025.

The Indian men’s volleyball team went down to Iran in the final of the CAVA Men’s Nations League 2025, going down in straight sets 17-25, 20-25, 19-25 to finish with a silver medal in the Volleyball championship. The defeat also ended India’s four-match winning run in the championship.

Iran clinched the title unbeaten in the six matches that they played in the competition. India were no match for Iran who notched up a level every time India sneaked ahead in the tie.

Also Read: India vs Iran final Highlights, CAVA Men’s Nations League 2025

For the entirety of the tie, the most lead India had was in the third set when they led 13-10 at one stage, but Iran recovered quickly to close the gap and race ahead to snatch the set and the victory.

Meanwhile Pakistan took home the bronze medal after beating Kazakhstan comprehensively 19-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-22 in the 3rd-4th place playoff match. Turkmenistan claimed the fifth place with a 3-0 win over Kyrgyzstan while hosts Uzbekistan finished at the bottom of the pile.

India had reached the final by beating Pakistan and Kazakhstan in the crossover round after finishing second in Pool A behind Iran. India defeated Pakistan 25-15, 25-19, 25-23 in their first crossover match while they beat Kazakhstan 26-24, 19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13 in their second crossover match, coming back from 1-2 behind at one stage to win the tie 3-2 eventually.

Iran, on the other hand, entered the title round by beating Kazakhstan 25-15, 30-28, 25-15 and Pakistan 3-1 (28-26, 21-25, 25-17, 25-22) in the crossover round after topping Pool A in the group stages without a defeat.

Earlier, at the end of the group stages, India finished second in Pool A with six points coming from two wins, and a loss in three matches. Iran topped the group, with nine points and three wins while Turkmenistan had one win and Uzbekistan finished winless at the bottom.

In Pool B, all three teams—Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan had one win and one loss respectively. However, Pakistan topped the group while Kazakhstan finished second and Kyrgyzstan ended last.

The CAVA Men’s Nations League 2025 kicked off on May 29 in Fergana, Uzbekistan. The volleyball Championship was earlier scheduled to be held in Pakistan but was moved out of the country due to security concerns. India had threatened to pull out if the tournament would have taken place in Pakistan.

Hosts Uzbekistan, India, Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are the seven nations competing in the Championship. Pakistan are the defending champions while Turkmenistan finished as runner-up in the previous edition in 2024 while Kyrgyzstan bagged third place.

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