FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers: India stays at bottom of Group D after heavy loss against Saudi Arabia
The Indian men’s basketball team’s shooting woes were at the forefront once again as it succumbed to a 57-81 loss against Saudi Arabia in their FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Group D match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
The Saudis never really lifted their foot off the pedal in the clash as they handed India its second defeat in as many games in the qualifying competition. Kanwar Gurbaz Singh Sandhu was the top performer for the host with 19 points, while Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman led Saudi’s charts with 24.
Despite head coach Scott Flemming highlighting the need to be clinical in attack ahead of the game, India lacked precision in the opposition half, scoring only 22 of 76 field goal attempts. In contrast, Saudi Arabia managed 30 off 62.
Both nations set off with an aggressive purpose, but it was the visitor that took an early hold on the game, with small forward Ali Shubayli scoring eight points to give his side a 10-point lead after the first quarter.
India began the second quarter on a much more positive note, with Sahaj Pratap Singh Sekhon draining his step-back jump shot from just inside the three-point area. However, it failed to spark any real momentum for the side, which was outmuscled by the Saudis every time it drove down the court with the ball.
Sandhu’s three-pointer from the corner midway through the second quarter momentarily lifted the spirits of the home support, but Saudi Arabia relied on Abdur-Rahkman, who kept draining baskets with steady regularity at the other end to take the game away.
India improved ever so slightly in the second half and slowly chipped away at Saudi Arabia’s lead, with Harsh Dagar sinking a couple of baskets early in the third quarter. However, the players eventually ran out of steam, and Saudi Arabia once again reasserted its dominance, with Fahad Belal plunging a dagger three-pointer in the third quarter to extend the lead to 33.
The result leaves India reeling at the bottom of its group with two points. And with just two spots to play for after being drawn with World Cup host Qatar, Flemming will hope he can iron out his side’s troubles ahead of the next window of fixtures in February 2026.
Published on Nov 30, 2025
