India's Women's Basketball Team Misses FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup Berth After Narrow Defeat to Malaysia

The Indian women's basketball team failed to qualify for the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026 main draw in Singapore, following a narrow loss to Malaysia in the qualifiers. Despite a strong comeback against Turkmenistan, Malaysia secured the top berth. This marks India’s second consecutive exit at the qualifying stage.

In a crucial qualifying match for the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2026, the Indian women's basketball team fell just short of advancing to the main draw, suffering a 16-13 defeat to Malaysia. The match, held in Singapore, saw the Indian squad, ranked 88th globally, unable to maintain an early lead against the 44th-ranked Malaysians.

During the game, India initially surged ahead with a 6-4 advantage, but Malaysia's resilience turned the tide to secure the win. Pushpa Senthil Kumar spearheaded India's efforts with six points, complemented by Dharshini Thirunavukkarasu's notable performance, which included two crucial three-pointers.

In their second fixture, India showcased their prowess with a decisive 21-4 victory over Turkmenistan. Standout players Sreekala Rani and Pushpa Senthil Kumar each contributed six points, while Dharshini and Sanjana Ramesh added five and four points, respectively. Despite this comeback, Malaysia's later win against Turkmenistan closed the door for India's progression, as only the group winner advances to the main draw.