Returning duo gives India hope

The absence of the frontcourt partners Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh was dearly felt when India went down to Syria at home in the first window of the FIBA World Cup Asian basketball qualifiers last year.

Amritpal did feature in the first group phase encounter against Lebanon but did little to change the fortunes of the team, which was without Amjyot. However, the return of the duo for the second window has given India a glimmer of hope as they look to move up the table, starting with a game against Jordan at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday.

The constant change of coaches also hasn't worked in India's favour as they are placed fourth in the four-team Group C. For the upcoming games, coach Rajinder Singh will take the reins from Serbian Zoran Visic, who guided the women's and under-16 girls teams to the top tier of the Asian basketball and was in charge of the men's side for the first window.

Rajinder expressed confidence that the team would do well against Jordan.

"Of course, their  (Amjyot and Amritpal) arrival will make a big difference because they are our star players. At the same time, other players are also doing well. We have youngsters as well and we hope to do well," he said.

After the Jordan game on Friday, India will be up against Lebanon on February 26 at the same venue and the hosts will be eager to bank on the home advantage.

Amjyot is back in the set-up after turning out for the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G-League, while Amritpal returns to the fold following his stint with Sydney Kings in Australia's NBL.  

"I'm really excited. It's my first tournament since I went to the NBA G-League," Amjyot said. "I've been playing with the national team for some time, so it's not a difficult thing (to play with the team now). I know each and every player and know what we're capable of. I'm there because of the Indian team only. If they call me I have to come. I don't feel there can be an issue," he added.

Satnam Singh Bhamara, the first Indian to be picked in the NBA draft by Dallas Mavericks in 2015 and now plying his trade in the UBA league, was the top scorer (14 points) for India during their loss to Syria. The 22-year-old will be eager to put on another good show.  

The addition of Tamil Nadu's centre Aravind Annadurai and Karnataka's power forward Aravind Arumugam will further boost the squad.

Point guard Akilan Pari is available only for the Jordan game. Experienced Vishesh Bhriguvanshi remains sidelined due to a knee injury.  

The top three teams from each group  will progress to the second round of the qualifiers.