NEW DELHI (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - The India we will see at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 on Beirut, Lebanon may be the strongest one ever assembled.

After initial apprehensions about injury status and other league commitments, Indian basketball's Big Three of Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Amjyot Singh and Amritpal Singh look all set and ready to go to take the national team to even greater heights this year.

Remember that India are a rising power in Asian basketball. This nation that was once a mediocre player in the greater scheme of continental hoops has become not just one of the fastest growing markets of the sport, but also one of the most promising basketball teams in the region. Ever since their Big Three started playing together, India have steadily climbed the Asian ladder, culminating in a Top 8 finish in the FIBA Asia Championship 2015.

Now with their Big Three on the cusp of their prime, India seem poised to make even more noise.

At their best and healthiest, the Big Three of Vishesh, Amjyot and Amritpal can beat any other trio in Asia, and they should be able to lead India past the group phase of the Asia Cup where they will face powerhouse Iran, resurgent Jordan and the returning Syria.

Add to the mix NBA draftee Satnam Singh and all bets are off for India. The 7'2 NBA D-League big man should make a bigger impact for the national team here than he did when he debuted at the senior level in 2013, and putting him alongside Amritpal up front makes for one of the most imposing big men tandems in the entire competition.

Head coach Philip John Weber will have at his disposal many players who could not make it to the recent William Jones Cup in Taipei, where India went winless and finished last. This tie around, with a much deeper and bigger squad, look for the Kings of South Asia to be a legitimate threat to finish among Asia's top eight teams.

FIBA