Indian hoopsters go down at BRICS Games

The team lost all three games at the BRICS Games, but gained valuable match-practice, ahead of the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup.

After a heavy 97-57 loss to host China in its opening fixture, India was handed a 58-88 defeat by Russia. In its third and final outing, India put up an improved show, but lost 75-88 to South Africa.

The Indian basketball team fell to higher-rated teams and finished its BRICS Games campaign with three losses, at Guangzhou, China. After a heavy 97-57 loss to host China in its opening fixture, India was handed a 58-88 defeat by Russia. In its third and final outing, India put up an improved show, but lost 75-88 to South Africa.

The national team, however, gained valuable match-practice, ahead of the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup. The performances of Amjyot Singh Gill and Rikin Pethani, who averaged 26 and 14.3 points per game respectively, also came as a positive. There are, however, fitness concerns surrounding captain Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, who suffered an ACL injury in the match against China.

Russia emerged as the champion, while China finished runner-up.

The results:

China 97 (Tao Han Lin 18, Liu Xiao Yu 14) bt India 57 (Amjyot Singh Gill 26, Rikin Pethani 12)

Russia 88 (Ivlev Vladimir 17, Zakharov Denis 14) bt India 58 (Amjyot Singh Gill 20, Rikin Pethani 13,Jeevanantham Pandi 12)

South Africa 88 (Fumani Marhanele 21, Thabo Sithole 18) bt India 75 (Amjyot Singh Gill 32, Rikin Pethani 18).