With excitement building up for India’s first round of home games in Chennai, the national men’s team is all set to take on Qatar in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

Both teams are coming into the second round having lost their opening round matches.

While India initially fell to a 50-63 loss to Kazakhstan, it was then thoroughly outclassed by Iran 53-86. Meanwhile, Qatar narrowly lost to Iran 74-76 and Kazakhstan 68-73.

In other words, both India and Qatar will be desperate to enter the winning column when they face off inside the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on November 22 at 6 pm.

The Indian team comprises a good mix of youth and experience. Among the senior players are forwards Amjyot Singh and Palpreet Singh. The former has had the distinction of being the longest-tenured Indian national in the NBA G-League – having played two seasons with Oklahoma City Blue and Wisconsin Herd. The latter has the distinction of being drafted by G League team Long Island Nets, before being waived without having played a single game.

Joining them in the frontcourt is another NBA G League player – Princepal Singh, who spent the 2020-21 season with G League Ignite.

Rounding out the post positions are Prashant Singh Rawat and the dynamic young Kushal Singh.

Coming into the wing, is the exciting small forward Pranav Prince, who will be keen to enthrall his Chennai home crowd, with breakaway dunks and blocks. While Prince is originally from Kerala, he has been representing the Tamil Nadu team in the National Championship for a few years now.

In the backcourt, we have the cool and calm Muin Bek Hafeez and the fearless Sahaij Sekhon. They will be joined by Tamil Nadu statemates Arvind Kumar Muthukrishnan and Baladhaneshwar.

Punjab sharpshooter Kanwar Gurbaz Singh Sandhu and ex-NBA Academy graduate Harsh Dagar will look to provide much-needed scoring from beyond the arc.

The team will be helmed by the highly regarded American Scott Flemming, who is returning for his second stint as Indian National Men’s Team Coach. Assisting him will be GRL Prasad and legendary former point guard Sambhaji Kadam.

• Friday, November 22: vs Qatar at 6 pm IST

• Monday, November 25: vs Kazakhstan at 6 pm IST

• Free entry at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai

• Free live stream on FIBA YouTube Channel

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