Shenzhen, July 18 -- The Indian basketball team's hopes of winning the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 Division B and securing promotion to the top tier ended on a bitter note following a defeat against Thailand in the semi-final qualifiers in Shenzhen, China, on Friday.

The Indian team ended with a 93-76 defeat against Thailand. Sreekala Rani and Pushpa Senthil Kumar played a starring role as both scored 23 points each for India, while Rattiyakorn Udomsuk was the top hoopster for Thailand with 25 points, according to Olympics.com.

The loss dealt a significant blow to the Indian team, as only the winners of Division B will gain promotion to Division A for the following year. In the next match, the Indian team will face the side that loses th...