Basketball
India suffers fourth consecutive defeat in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers
The team suffered a heavy 56-99 defeat to the group leaders, Lebanon, in an away fixture.
INDIA faced its fourth consecutive defeat at FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. (Photo Credits: Basketball_India)
The Indian men's basketball team suffered its fourth straight defeat in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, losing 56-99 to Group D leaders Lebanon on Monday.
India offered little resistance throughout the contest and slumped to its ninth consecutive defeat against Lebanon in major competitions, remaining at the bottom of Group D.
The visitors came under pressure from the opening minutes as Lebanon raced to a 7-0 lead before extending its advantage to 25-13 by the end of the first quarter.
India never recovered from the slow start and was outscored in each of the remaining three quarters (15-28, 14-25, 13-21), eventually suffering a heavy 43-point defeat.
Harsh Dagar was India's only player to score in double figures, finishing with a team-high 14 points. Pranav Prince and Kanwar Sandhu chipped in with nine points each.
Meanwhile, India's star player Sahaij Sekhon endured a forgettable outing, failing to score despite attempting 10 shots from the field.
For Lebanon, four players reached double figures, with Jihad Elkhatib and Hayk Gyokchyan leading the scoring with 16 points apiece.
India must now win both of its remaining home matches, against Qatar on July 2 and Lebanon on July 5, to keep its slim hopes of qualifying for the second round alive.