India look to get campaign back on track

Bengaluru, November 25: The Garden City has been hosting major basketball events over the past few months. And the city is set to host another major tournament, which will be a big boost to the game in the country, as a world cup qualifier will be held on Sunday.

The Indian men’s basketball team did not get their world cup qualifiers off to the best of starts. After falling to a crushing loss to Lebanon 72-107 in the opener, India will look to get their FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers (first round) campaign back on track in their second game.

The Indian men’s team will take on Syria at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Sunday (November 26) in their second game of the group. The boys will hope to use the home advantage to the fullest when they face the Syrian team in the group encounter. But Syria is the stronger outfit out of the two and the home lads will have to give it their all.

Though the dominant of the two outfits, Syria also started their campaign on a losing note, going down to Jordan 72-109 in the campaign opener, and will be eager to bounce back with a dominant win on Sunday.

In their previous meeting, Syria emerged the winner 87-78, while they finished four points above at 10th place with India ending at 14th in the FIBA Asia Cup, 2017.

India’s star performers, Amritpal Singh and Satnam Singh will hope to put on a better show after the duo miserably failed in the opening outing. But its going to be a tough ask for the Indian team as Syria hold the edge over the hosts.

Another cause of concern for India will be the absence of Amjyoti Singh, who is away due to commitments in the NBA G League and Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, who has been ruled out due to injury.

India is placed in Group C along with Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Meanwhile, the organisers have decided to open the doors to all with entry being free. Tickets were being sold before the organisers decided to make the big event available to all on a first-cum-first-serve basis. Those who have already bought tickets will get their refund.

The hosts will indeed need a good crowd backing to cheer them on against a tough Syrian opponent.