India Basketball Team Loses to Iran, Korea

India's under-18 basketball team faced a challenging start at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024, suffering a heavy 119-47 defeat against Korea in their opening match. This marked one of India's worst losses at the Asian level, highlighting their struggles against Korea's aggressive defense, which forced 30 turnovers and dominated both offensively and defensively. Despite a better performance against Iran, India lost again with a score of 70-53, with Mohammed Ishan leading the team with 14 points and 9 rebounds. India's inability to convert scoring opportunities and maintain defensive stability was evident in both matches. The team now faces a crucial must-win game against Kuwait on September 4 to advance in the tournament. Iran's Mohammad Mahdi Heydari and Amirmahyar Keramati were significant contributors to their victory over India, showcasing their rebounding and playmaking abilities.