India seals 2022 Commonwealth Esports Championships berth in Dota 2 and Rocket League

The Indian esports teams have secured their berths in the inaugural edition of the 2022 Commonwealth Esports Championships, set to be held in Birmingham from August 1–7, 2022, for Dota 2 and Rocket League following impressive performances in the South Asian regional qualifiers.

Led by Hargun Singh, the Indian team registered emerged victorious in all their three matches to finish atop the points table in the Rocket League title, while the Dota 2 team, comprising captain Moin Ejaz, Ketan Goyal, Abhishek Yadav, Shubham Goli and Vishal Vernekar, claimed four wins from six matches in the regional qualifiers to secure the Commonwealth Esports Championships spot with a second-place finish.

Apart from skipper Hargun ‘Hargun <2’ Singh (Captain), Nirjhar ‘josce.’ Mehta and Rushil ‘Rushil_Y’ Reddy Yarram were also part of the Indian team in the Rocket League title. 

With the participation of top international esports teams, the upcoming Commonwealth Esports Championships will provide great exposure and much-needed game time for the Indian players ahead of the 2022 Asian Games, where esports will be making its debut as a medal sport.

Hargun Singh, Captain of the Indian Rocket League team, stated:

“My experience in the whole regional qualifiers so far has been an eye-opener with regards to how esports is expanding so quickly in regions like South Asia, especially in rocket league. Considering how much potential there is, this regional event will help motivate the rocket league community to participate in every competition and keep them motivated to improve in this game, seeking more opportunities to pursue esports events in general. We would like to thank the federation [ESFI], who has been very supportive & helped us to sail through the regional qualifiers smoothly. We will perform at our level best in the main championship and try to put a podium finish at the event.“

Moin Ejaz, Captain of the Indian Dota 2 team, also said:

“We are happy and a bit disappointed as well for our run in the regional qualifiers as we were expecting a clean sweep. We will continue our grind and have to study good teams in our Esports title and learn better strategies, skills, coordination and teamwork. We are very excited to face good teams around the world at the main event.“

Mr Lokesh Suji, Director ESFI & VP- Asian Esports Federation, added:

“Growth and potential of esports is overwhelming and you will have to get involved, sooner the better. Just like Olympics, “esports” is one of the recommendations outlined in the new Commonwealth Sport 2026/30 Strategic Roadmap. Commonwealth Games is another big sporting event in line with Asian Games, it’s reassuring to see that Commonwealth has also openly decided to engage with esports (with this side event) and soon esports will be a medal sport in CW games too. I congratulate our Indian contingent as they displayed their top gameplay, skills and strategy to secure their maiden Commonwealth Esports Championships berth. I believe each of them will make the most of this opportunity and make India proud by bringing laurels to the country.”