CHENNAI: The India men’s basketball team will enter the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah as underdogs. India are placed alongside heavyweights China, Jordan and hosts Saudi Arabia in Pool C. In the qualifying rounds, the Indian cagers defeated a few higher-ranked teams, showing what they are capable of. In the build-up to the continental event, India had an exposure tour to Qatar, where they won and lost one match each.
Head coach Scott Flemming insisted that the preparations have been good but felt that there could have been more game time for the players. “We probably wish that we had more exposure trips, like the other teams. Some have played 10 to 15 games this month. A few exposure tours did not work out for us due to different reasons, but I think our training has been good, and we are doing the best we can,” Flemming told TOI on the sidelines of a practice session at the National Sports Centre in Chennai.
“The two matches against Qatar were helpful. I think we played one of our worst defensive games in the first match but bounced back with one of our best defensive performances in the second,” Flemming added.
Apart from defence, the coach believes that the three-point conversion rate will be crucial. In the wins against higher-ranked teams Kazakhstan and Bahrain during the qualifying rounds, India showcased strong shooting from beyond the arc. “You cannot always rely on three-pointers, but for now, it is going to be a point of emphasis. We have performed well against top-ranked opposition when we have good three-point shooting accuracy.
“Everybody says that you kind of live and die by three pointers. But if we do not shoot threes, I think it is going to be tough for us to beat China and Jordan. None of the games will be easy. We also need to limit turnovers and rebound well.”
Forward Amjyot Singh, one of the senior-most players, is not part of the squad due to injury, while youngster Sahaij Pratap Singh is making a comeback after eight months, having recovered from injury and illness. Amaan Sandhu, who plays in NCAA Division I, has returned to the squad after two years. Meanwhile, former captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Baladhaneshwar Poiyamozhi have been dropped from the team.
“Amjyot is a costly miss, as he is one of the most well-rounded players; hopefully, he will be back for the World Cup qualifying round (in November). Sahaij said that he is 85 per cent fit, and I hope he recovers completely soon.”
Squad: Pranav Prince, Sahaij Pratap Singh, Princepal Singh, Arvind Kumar, Palpreet Singh, Harsh Dagar, Muin Bek Hafeez, Vaishak Manoj, Kanwar Gurbaj Singh, Arvinder Singh, Pratyanshu Tomar, Amaan Sandhu.
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