Team India set for 2019 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Changsha, China: Rosters, Schedule, and Preview


From new domestic leagues, successful grassroots programmes, and individual athletes making a name for themselves internationally, 3x3 Basketball has caught on like wildfire in India over the past few years. But when it came to participating in the continent's biggest 3x3 bonanza last year, Team India was marked 'absent'.

Now, they get to rectify their absence and make a comeback to the tournament in style.

The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) has announced four-member squads for India's senior men and women's squads, ready to take part in the 2019 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Changsha, China, from May 22-26, 2019. The teams will be captained by Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Raspreet Sidhu, and led by the Serbian coaching duo of Veselin Matic and Zoran Visic. Both Indian teams are currently in the Qualifying Draws and will have to win their first few games to qualify for the proper group stage.

India's Women won the first-ever instance of this tournament back in China in 2013. Last year, India did not participate, but two teams from Oceanis took home the golds, taking part in the Asian fray for the first time: Australia (Men) and New Zealand (Women). Both teams will be threats again in the tournament this year, along with the hosts China. Mongolia and Japan also finished in the top three of the Men's tournament last year and should hope to contend this time around, too.

Team India Rosters for 2019 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup

Men
  • Vishesh Bhriguvanshi - captain
  • Arshpreet Singh Bhullar
  • Akilan Pari
  • Yadwinder Singh

Women
  • Raspreet Sidhu - captain
  • Bhandavya Hemmige Mahesha
  • Sreekala Rani
  • Shireen Limaye

For the Men's team, Bhriguvanshi will be looking to make up for lost time after spending much of the last two years rehabbing an ACL injury. He is India's best perimeter player, and has good understanding with the experienced forward Yadwinder Singh. Serbian Coach Veselin Matic only came to India a week ago to helm the men's basketball programme, and this will be his first international test. Matic's Serbian counterpart Zoran Visic will be the head coach of the women's team, and experienced Delhi baller Raspreet Sidhu will be expected to carry much of the squad's scoring load.

Groups

Men
  • Pool A: Japan, Turkmenistan, Jordan
  • Pool B: China, New Zealand, Qualifying Draw A 1
  • Pool C: Mongolia, Australia, Qualifying Draw B 1
  • Pool D: Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Qualifying Draw C 1
  • Qualifying Draw A: Qatar, Philippines, Iran, Samoa, Thailand
  • Qualifying Draw B: South Korea, India, Malaysia, Vanuatu
  • Qualifying Draw C: Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam

Women
  • Pool A: China, Australia, New Zealand
  • Pool B: Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
  • Pool C: Japan, Sri Lanka Qualifying Draw A 1
  • Pool D: Iran, Turkmenistan, Qualifying Draw B 2
  • Qualifying Draw A: Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Vanuatu, Samoa
  • Qualifying Draw B: Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, India

India's schedule in the Qualifying Draw - all timings IST

Men
  • May 22, 2019 - India vs. Malaysia - 11:30 AM
  • May 23, 2019 - India vs. Vanuatu - 10:30 AM
  • May 23, 2019 - South Korea vs. India - 12:20 PM

Women
  • May 22, 2019 - Malaysia vs. India - 12:40 PM
  • May 23, 2019 - Maldives vs. India - 06:10 AM
  • May 23, 2019 - India vs. Thailand - 07:40 AM

India will have to win their qualifying groups to have a chance for qualification. The men's team should be able to win their first two games but will face a tougher competition against South Korea. For the women, both Malaysia and Thailand will provide stiff challenge for India to finish at top.

If India win their groups, the Men's team will join Pool C with two podium finishers from last year, Mongolia and Australia. The women's team qualification would place them in women's Pool D with Iran and Turkmenistan.

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