BEIRUT (Lebanon) - For generations, Indian Railways have been one of the most prominent programs in Indian basketball. And soon, they will be taking on arguably their biggest to date.
The FIBA West Asia Super League Final 8 2026, that is, marking the return of SABA representation in the annual event which shall make the September 26-October 4 festivities in Zouk Mikael all the more exciting.
Path to the Final 8
Indian Railways secured their place in WASL's culminating showpiece by winning the 75th Senior National Basketball Championship in Chennai - their 10th national title and first in 16 years.
Team history
The Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), whose sporting structure dates back all the way to 1928, has built a formidable sporting legacy across various disciplines.
Basketball has been an important part of that story, with some of the biggest names in Indian hoops history such as Gulam Abbas Moontasir, Surendra Kumar Kataria, Hanuman Singh and Ajmer Singh, having worn the Railways colors.
Now, the Railways are taking that legacy beyond India.
Conspicuously absent from their maiden international campaign will be Palpreet Singh Brar, who will remain in India to await the birth of his second child.
The veteran India international is one of the most experienced players in the Railways setup, making his absence a significant one as they step onto the WASL stage for the first time.
Players to watch
Still, the Railways’ roster combines international experience with domestic pedigree, with six players likely to be central to their WASL debut.
Dominique Jones gives Indian Railways an experienced presence in the backcourt. The veteran guard has NBA experience and spent much of his career in China, where he was named CBA International MVP in 2022-23. His scoring and playmaking will be key as the Railways step up to WASL competition.
Cleanthony Early already knows the Final 8 stage. The 2.03 M (6'8") forward played for Sagesse in 2024, averaging 21.6 points and 9.4 rebounds across five games. And he shall be coming hungry for redemption after he and the Green Castle settled for a runner-up finish to Al Riyadi in the 2024 Final 8 championship in Qatar.
Darlinstone Dubar adds size and versatility on the perimeter. The 2.03 M (6'8") wing played college basketball at Iowa State, Hofstra and Tennessee before moving into the professional game, most recently in Greece.
The imports will have plenty of responsibility, but the Railways will also look to their Indian core.
Princepal Singh brings international experience and size at 2.08m, having represented India at the FIBA Asia Cup and FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon provides another experienced option in the backcourt, while Kanwar Gurbaz Singh Sandhu enters the competition as the MVP of the 75th Senior National Basketball Championship.
With three international additions joining a core that has just conquered the Indian domestic game, Indian Railways arrive in Lebanon with a roster built to meet a new level of competition.
For a program with generations of history in Indian basketball, the WASL Final 8 represents the next test.
FIBA