India picked up a loss in their final group stage fixture against China as they were thrashed with a scoreline 53-111. (Image: X)
Despite India qualifying for the quarterfinals, they were dominated by China as they were thrashed 53-111 in their group stage match at the Asian Games
The Indian women made it to the quarterfinal despite being pummelled by China in their 5×5 basketball final group-stage match in the ongoing Asian Games here on Sunday.
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Indian team suffered a crushing 53-111 defeat, which was its maiden loss in the sport this term, having won the previous two matches versus Indonesia (66-46) and Mongolia (68-62).
Pushpa Senthil Kumar managed to pick up 14 points in total out of which she scored three three-pointers two two-pointers and the lone free throw. She finished the game with a shooting percentage of 38. She was also one of the better defenders in the game with two steals and three fouls drawn.
The other notable performer from the Indian side was Shireen Vijay Limaye who managed to pick up 12 points out of which were three two-pointers and 2 three-pointers. She was not that active defensively.
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Among the Chinese team, Yueru Li took the spotlight as she finished the match as the top-scorer with 25 points of which 11 were two-pointers and three free-throws which she managed to sink in.
The quarterfinal qualification in the sport is earned by the combined ranking of the teams in the tournament post-completion of the group stage, i.e. the top eight-ranked sides, where the Indians are currently ranked sixth.
It is India’s fifth appearance in the competition in this sport, having finished ninth in the previous edition in Jakarta-Palembang 2018, whereas its best performance came in its first appearance in New Delhi 1982, finishing fifth.
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The Indian team will finish second in their group after China managed to maintain their perfect run in the group stage and end India’s chances of doing the same. They will go up against Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals as they eye the gold medal.
The Indian team will look to put this loss behind them as they look ahead in their quarterfinal bout as they eye the big prize in the Asian Games. India will now face the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the quarterfinals which will take place tomorrow.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
