India try to bounce back in the second window with tall, imposing squad
NEW DELHI (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - A formidable frontline banners an India team looking to finally break through the win column and shake up their group in the Asian Qualifiers.
The Young Cagers dropped their fixture against Lebanon on the road in the first window, but the result that really stung was their home loss against a Syrian side they should have beaten.
Two key players who did not see action in India's loss to Syria were frontcourt partners Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh, but both have returned to the national side and should carry the team in their efforts to finally notch a W.
| India 13-man Pool for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers Second Window | |||
| Aravind Annadurai | Arvind Arumugam | Loveneet Singh Atwal | Ravi Bhardwaj |
| Arshpreet Singh Bhullar | Justin Gnanaraj | Jeevanantham Pandi | Akilan Pari |
| Amjyot Singh | Amritpal Singh | Joginder Singh | Satnam Singh |
| Yadwinder Singh | |||
Amjyot returns from the United States after seeing action for the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA D-League, while Amritpal takes a break from his stint with the Sydney Kings of NBL-Australia. To add even more size to the squad, NBA draftee Satnam Singh will help man the middle for India. Five other holdovers from the first window have been recalled to the national team, namely Aravind Annadurai, Arvind Arumugam, Arshpreet Singh Bhullar, Akilan Pari and Joginder Singh.
Annadurai is one to watch after he shone for India in the recent Asian Games Test Event that was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Annadurai led India to a first runner-up finish in that competition, and it will be quite interesting if the 6ft 8in (2.02m) can continue to put up big numbers in the second window, especially with both Amjyot and Amritpal in tow.
Hoopistani: Recap - Hosts Indonesia win Basketball tournament at 2018 Asian Games Test Event over India in the final https://t.co/HmCCGvI3c3 pic.twitter.com/dlR2ubH4IJ
— Hoopistani (@Hoopistani) February 12, 2018
One key missing piece, however, is star playmaker Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, who remains sidelined by a knee injury he sustained before last year's FIBA Asia Cup. This means that guards Joginder Singh and Akilan Pari will have to step up big time.
Both of India's second window matches will be on home soil and held at the Sri Kantaveera Stadium in Bengaluru. They play undefeated favorites Jordan on 23 February and then try to bounce back against West Asia powerhouse Lebanon on 26 February. All fans can watch the games live for free, according to the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).
"After looking at the enthusiasm of the fans in the previous events, we have decided to open up the gates for all the basketball fans," said BFI President K. Govindraj. "Providing free entry will be a great opportunity for all the school children in Bangalore to witness basketball played on the highest level."
FIBA
