Indian Basketball Team Defeated by Saudi Arabia in FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers at Home

Basio badr

ago 4 days

Indian Basketball Team Defeated by Saudi Arabia in FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers at Home

The Indian basketball team faced a disappointing defeat against Saudi Arabia, losing 81-57 in their second match of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The game took place at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

Match Overview

Date: Sunday, after the opening match on February 27
Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
Final Score: India 57 – Saudi Arabia 81
Saudi Arabia’s Top Scorer: Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman with 24 points
India’s Top Scorer: Kanwar Sandhu with 19 points

Game Breakdown

Saudi Arabia started strong with an early layup and a three-pointer, quickly establishing a lead. Despite a jump shot by Prince Pranav and a layup from Palpreet Singh Brar, India struggled to keep pace. The first quarter ended with Saudi Arabia leading 19-9.

The second quarter saw Saudi Arabia continue to dominate. Abdur-Rahkman scored 11 points during this period, extending their lead to 43-21 by halftime. The game changed significantly during the third quarter, where Saudi Arabia outscored India 25-15, further widening the gap.

In the final quarter, Saudi Arabia maintained their momentum, consistently adding to their score and denying India any chance for a comeback. This match marked Saudi Arabia’s second victory over India in a matter of days, having previously won 75-51 in their first encounter at Riyadh Green Hall.

Next Steps for India

Looking ahead, the Indian basketball team will take on Qatar during the next window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers on February 27. India is competing among 80 teams from various regions, including Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas.