India U-16 Women’s basketball team took forward their brilliance in the Asian court 3×3 format and got themselves a win with a massive record of 5-1 in the group stage. Win the win, the team is now into the quarterfinals of the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025. They finished in second place in Pool B after their dominant victories against Mongolia and Indonesia.
Team India started its campaign in Manama with five consecutive wins in the tournament. Four out of these wins came from the 21-point rule, in which the match ends once a team reaches that mark. The team comprised of quartet group of Viha Jonnalagadda (the captain), Mahek Sharma, Reva Kulkarni, and Nethra Birudavolu. This is the same team that led India to their first FIBA U16 Asia Cup Division B title.
Through a combination of skills and mature playing by these young talents, India got a strong head start on Day 1, October 24, with three brilliant wins, including a 21-6 win over Sri Lanka, followed by the Maldives in 21-14, and lastly Palestine by 21-6. Their prominence continued on the October 26 matches, with their first win coming against Mongolia by 21-15, next was an 18-15 victory over Indonesia, but the final one got them a setback after losing against Thailand by 9-15.
They will next face Iran in the quarterfinals match scheduled on October 27, 2025. The two teams will again meet after their recent clash in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup Division B Final match held in September 2025 in the 5×5 format. In the tournament, India won by a small edge over Iran by 67–66 and got promoted to Division A.
This time, the rivalry will see them in the 3×3 format. Team India, however, still has a threat against it with Iran’s star player Mobina Bereihi, who scored 30 points against them in the FIBA finals game.
If Team India secures a win in the quarterfinals against Iran, they would qualify for the semi-finals match, along with entry to the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics in the 3×3 format.
At the Asian Youth Games, the 3×3 basketball event had 14 teams competing in two groups. In Pool A, it was China, Iran, Chinese Taipei, and Kazakhstan, whereas in Pool B, it was Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The top four teams from each group will then qualify for the knockout rounds.
What is the 3×3 format in basketball?
In basketball, unlike the traditional 5×5 format, the 3×3 competition requires teams to have only three players on the court and one substitute. The teams are required to perform under constant pressure to be more physically resilient and do rapid ball movement. This is a half-court game with one hoop, and teams have to take the shot within 12 seconds after possession of the ball. Each game lasts for ten minutes or ends when either of the teams reaches 21 points.
Inputs sourced from [India Sports Hub]
