AHMEDABAD (India) - India took care of business against Kazakhstan in the Group Phase wrap-up to barge into the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 win column, although it meant more than just earning a breakthrough.
It was also their love letter of sorts to the appreciative home crowd.
Despite bowing to traditional contenders Japan and Korea in their first two games, there was no denying the support that their compatriots have given just by showing up at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium.
And that is exactly why the whole team basked in cheers and adoration when the final buzzer sounded in their 82-61 conquest of the CABA champions, as they finally rewarded the fans in attendance with a victory so sweet.
But the players. including Shekhar Rathee, are just as thankful for the support they've been getting - some clips across social media, in fact, show that their faithful even wait outside the venue to offer congratulations.
"It's motivating because they are supporting us, and that's why we play well," he stated.
The 17-year-old winger himself serves as proof of how impactful playing at home before their very own people could be. Against the Kazakhs, he scattered 8 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists, and a whopping 7 steals.
Now, he's entering the Qualification to Quarter-Finals against Iran as one of the tournament's better performers with commendable per-game averages of 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 3.0 steals.
"I'm feeling very good because the coaches are all very supportive, and so we are giving our full effort," said Rathee, who plays for Haryana locally. "The public is also supporting us, and that's why we won."
As motivating as the support has been, this particular campaign is also a bit personal for him.
Rathee and the others such as Arman and Ansh Tomer were part of the India team that competed in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup last year, which proved to be a disappointing ride as they went 0-3 and finished dead last at 16th.
That's why he and his teammates couldn't be any happier to have earned themselves some semblance of redemption by winning against Kazakhstan, with the three of them playing a crucial role in it.
Tomer finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Arman chipped in 13 points and 8 rebounds.
"In Mongolia we lost three matches, but this time we did well because ... all the players gave their full effort," he reflected. "We played together for the last one or two years, and so the combination is working well."
Now, they'd definitely want to chase that winning feeling again when they take on Iran in the Quarter-Finals' play-in. And although it would be challenging, Rathee & Co. are all set and ready to go - all for their people.
"We will give our best effort," he said.
FIBA