India won’t directly qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021

The second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers is over and two direct qualification slots are occupied. Lebanon and Bahrain are the first two teams from Group D to join the FIBA Cup 2021 and India will face Iraq on February 19. This is the last opportunity for the Indian basketball team to finish third in the standings. 

What is the last chance for India to join the FIBA ​​Asia Cup 2021? 

The FIBA ​​Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers are designed to determine what 16 countries are going to compete for the Championship and India might join the list of selected countries. Since the direct qualification slots are occupied by Lebanon and Bahrain, India has to defeat Iraq on February 19. Four of the sixteen teams will be selected in a special tournament held between the third-placed countries from every Group. This tournament is the last chance for the Indian basketball team to join the FIBA ​​Asia Cup 2021 after facing Bahrain on November 29 and losing 88-72. 

The team, led by its captain Vishesh Bhirguvanshi(18 points) and Indian top players Muin Bek Hafeez(10 points), Amjyot Singh(15 points and 9 rebounds), and Jagdeep Singh(12 points), managed to overpower Bahrain in the first quarter but lost its dominant position after CJ Giles(17 points, 12 rebounds), Muzamil Hamoda(12 points, 10 rebounds), Mohamed Ebrahim and Mohamed Kawaid(15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) from Bahrain showed their full power. 

The third window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers will be the most important one for the Indian team. Vishesh Bhirguvanshi, Muin Bek Hafeez, and Amjyot Singh have to lead their team to a completely new level to succeed. November 29 is going to be a key date for Indian players, who are expected to do their best to qualify for FIBA Asia Cup 2021.