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E-sports is becoming very popular in India, attracting fans from all around the country. The gaming scene in India is changing quickly as individuals exhibit their extraordinary talents in games like Counter-Strike, PUBG, and Dota 2.
The rise of competitive gaming leagues, such as the ESL India Premiership and Indian Gaming League (IGL), has contributed to the expansion of esports in the nation. Beginners can get an understanding of the rapidly evolving field of esports, from well-known games to important tournaments and the developing esports ecosystem in India.
Pixelated Pioneers
E-sports originated in India in the early 2000s when a growing local gaming community started to host competitions. The emergence of video games such as Warcraft III and Counter-Strike established the groundwork for competitive gaming through grassroots events.
Online multiplayer games gained popularity as internet availability increased, encouraging a competitive mindset among Indian gamers. Small-scale LAN events promoted the games initially and the Indian government’s support to the industry has made parents comfortable with their kids taking up the sport from a young age.
India’s debut in the global esports arena and professional leagues took place with the emergence of gaming communities and the opening of specialized gaming cafes. Also, the broad reach of smartphones and cost-effective data plans let in a larger audience.
Battlefields & Leaderboards
Several games are occupying the spotlight in the booming world of Indian esports, capturing the attention of both viewers and players. PUBG Mobile is a battle royale phenomenon that became extremely popular and sparked intense competitions and tournaments in India.
The fascinating Free Fire also makes a name for itself, winning many Indian players with its exciting action and strategic components. Apart from that, the FIFA franchise by E-Sports has always been a popular game in India and continues to spread in popularity.
Both Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) are esports classics that attract both avid fans and seasoned players. Several notable competitions arrive to represent the fierce competitiveness of Indian esports, like the Valorant Conquerors Championship, Indian Gaming League (IGL), and ESL India Premiership.
These games and competitions act as cornerstones as the esports scene develops, influencing the story of India’s entry into the exciting realm of competitive gaming.
The Gaming Gods
Jonathan Amaral, also known as “Jonathan,” is a prominent esports player from India, well known for playing Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). Amaral was in second position for Esports Mobile Players of the Year at the 2022 Esports Award. In 2023, the esports fantasy site FanClash revealed that Amaral will take on a new role as a brand ambassador.
Amaral now plays for Godlike Esports after starting his esports career with the team Entity. Despite placing fourth in the BGIS 2021 event, he represented India at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship. Amaral achieved the most individual kill total in tournament history at the 2020 PMIS Semifinals with sixteen kills.
In 2020, he won the MVP award in PMPL South Asia S1 Week 3, Top Fragger award, PMWL East S0 Week 2 MVP, PMWL East S0 Week 3 MVP, and PMWL EAST S0 #2 TOP FRAGGER. In 2021, he won Skyesports Championship 3.0 MVP, Red Bull M.E.O. Season 4: India MVP, and Skyesports Grand Slam 2022 MVP. In 2022, the player won the BGMI Masters Series MVP.
Ankit Panth, known as “V3nom,” is a powerful player in the Indian esports market. He is perfect in games like Call of Duty Mobile and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. V3nom began playing video games in a café in Kandivali, an Indian neighborhood of Mumbai.
After playing Counter-Strike, he recognized that he could use the game to promote India. Therefore, he decided to pursue a career in gaming. After beginning his professional Counter-Strike career, he formed many gaming teams. Warriors Of Chaos was the first squad followed by the Made in Mumbai (MiM) semi-professional squad in 2006. V3nom and RiX founded the player-owned Team Brutality in 2008.
Panth was the first Indian brand ambassador for HyperX. Additionally, Panth represents Intel India and Alienware as a brand ambassador. In 2018, he won the title “Captain of the Year” at India Gaming Awards.
He placed second in Counter-Strike 1.6 at the 2009 and 2010 World Cyber Games. He also won first place in the 2015 Logitech Free2Play, Lenovo India Gaming Week, and Tranzeneca Gaming League Raipur competitions for CSGO.
Tanmay ‘ScoutOP’ Singh, a member of TeamXSpark, is frequently acknowledged as one of the top Indian athletes and an exceptional global player. Sc0ut is mostly an assaulter, flanker, and scout. Scout is one of the major influences in the Indian gaming scene. In 2023, he won the title “Fan Favorite Player” at the Lidoma Battleground Invitational.
He won the Fighting League 2018, came in second in the PUBG Mobile Club Open – Spring Split: India in 2019, and placed eighth in the Peacekeeper Elite Championship 2019. He won second place in both the 2020 PUBG Mobile World League: East and the 2020 ESL India Premiership Summer Season: Finals.
He won the THUG Invitational: Season 4 in 2022 and the PUBG Mobile World Invitational: Afterparty Showdown in 2022, respectively. He placed third in the Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2023 and seventh in the BGMI Masters Series Season 2 in 2023.
Indian gamer Harmandeep “Mavi” Singh is one of the best attackers in BGMI or PUBG history and a player of Global Esports. He works for the talent management company 8Bit Creatives.
He stands out for his brilliance, grasp of the game, extraordinary abilities, and relentless attention. Additionally, Mavi demonstrated his leadership abilities by steering his team, Orange Rock, to the ESL India Premiership 2020 championship. He is a member of teamXspark, where he competes in matches with ScoutOp. In 2020, he won the title “Top Fragger” at the PUBGM Veteran Showdown: Captain’s League.
In 2019, he placed third in the PUBG Mobile Club Open – Spring Split: India and second in the PUBG Mobile India Tour. In 2020, he won the ESL India Premiership Summer Season and the PUBG Mobile Club Open – Spring Split in India. In 2021, he finished fifth in the LOCO Diwali Battle and won the THUG Invitational: Season 4 in 2022. In 2023, he placed fourth in the BGMI Masters Series Season 2.
India-born Simar “Psy” Sethi presently plays for Medal Esports. His professional gaming experience includes playing for Entity Gaming and Team Brutality, among other teams. He was a player for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Psy is known as one of the greatest Tekken gamers in the nation thanks to his extraordinary reflexes, mental tricks, and gaming expertise. In 2021, he won the title “Day 6 MVP” at the Rooter Rise of Legends.
He placed first in several esports competitions in 2021 and 2022, including the GameEon Valorant Tournament, Skyesports League 2021, Esports Premier Series: Qualifier #3, The Esports Club Gauntlet – Season 2, Pro Team Showmatch at the Amazon Great Indian Festival, Amazon Summer Sale – Invitational, and Penta Esports – All-Stars Showdown.
He also took second in The Esports Club Gauntlet – Season 3. But in VALORANT Challengers 2023: South Asia Split 1, he placed second, and in VALORANT Challengers 2023: South Asia Split 2, he placed fourth.
Levelling Up
The aforementioned profiles showcase the diverse talents and accomplishments of top Indian esports players, each contributing to the growth and recognition of esports in the country across different gaming genres.
With a dynamic mix of increased young involvement, increasing investment, and technology improvements, the future trajectory of e-sports in India seems quite bright. As the digital world develops further, e-sports have become a cultural phenomenon that draws a sizable audience and goes beyond the bounds of conventional entertainment.
Expanding gaming platforms, a growing network infrastructure and an infusion of experienced players have created a favorable environment for the Indian e-sports industry to flourish.
