In the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers, the Indian basketball team will play two away games in its first window: against Bahrain on 21 February and against Iraq on 24 February.

Led by 28-year-old veteran Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, the team is currently in Bahrain where they have got a warm welcome at the hotel they are putting up in.

“Everyone at restaurant of Hotel Ramee Grand #Bahrain wishes Indian Team by singing and dancing on the song “Chak de India” for tomorrow’s match. Thanks to the management and staff for hosting the Indian Team with lovely Indian food.”

Everyone at restaurant of Hotel Ramee Grand #Bahrain wishes Indian Team by singing and dancing on the song “Chak de India” for tomorrow’s match. Thanks to the management and staff for hosting the Indian Team with lovely Indian food. ⁦@BFI_basketball⁩ pic.twitter.com/MrXbR4zkg8 — Chander Mukhi Sharma (@ChanderMukhiS) February 20, 2020

Besides Bahrain, Iraq, and India, the preliminary Group D also has Lebanon. After playing in a home and away format over three windows, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup.

The third-placed teams from each of the group will play another round of Qualifiers, after which the top four teams will also progress to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021. This means a total of 16 teams will participate in the event.

India, though, will be hoping for a direct qualification with some impressive players in their ranks. Jagdeep Singh Bains, Amritpal Singh, Joginder Singh and Aravind Annadurai are some of the experienced players in the Indian team. But they will also feel the absence of Amjyot Singh who is serving a ban and Satnam Singh, who is undergoing a provisional doping suspension.

India will be coached by Serbian Veselin Matic, who will at the helm of a four-member support staff of two assistant coaches, a physio and a manager.