The Indian basketball team suffered an 81–57 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their second match of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. The game took place on home soil, marking a challenging start for India in the tournament's early phase.
Kanwar Sandhu led the Indian team with the highest individual score, demonstrating strong offensive efforts despite the loss. However, India's defense struggled to contain Saudi Arabia’s pace and shooting accuracy throughout the match.
Saudi Arabia secured control early, opening a comfortable lead that India could not overturn. The visitors maintained consistent scoring across all quarters, reflecting superior teamwork and precision.
India attempted to close the gap through fast breaks and perimeter shooting, but turnovers and missed opportunities hampered their momentum. The team aims to regroup and strengthen its strategy for the remaining qualifier games.
Saudi Arabia’s victory highlights their growing competitiveness in the Asian basketball circuit, while India’s side continues to build cohesion and experience on the international stage.
“It’s part of our learning curve. We’re developing a stronger unit for the next round,” said a team spokesperson.
Author’s Summary: India lost 81–57 to Saudi Arabia in the FIBA 2027 Qualifiers, showing effort but falling short against the visitors’ consistent offensive form.