In a display of exceptional teamwork and stellar gameplay, Team Top-G (DOTA 2) emerged victorious in the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2023, organized by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI). Their outstanding performance secured them a coveted spot in the regional qualifiers of the Global Esports Games (GEG) 2023, where they will compete against Malaysia and Mongolia for a chance to advance to the global finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Under the dynamic leadership of Manav Kunte (mnz), Team Top-G, consisting of Krish Gupta (Krish-), Khaja Hussain (Pinkman), Ketan Goyal (Evil-ash), Vishal Vernekar (Hbk), and substitute Darshan Bata (A35), clinched victory in the best-of-three finals by defeating The Mob with a resounding 2-0 scoreline. This triumph marked their second major win this year, following their representation of India in the Asian qualifiers of DOTA 2 for the 15th World Esports Championships earlier.
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Captain Manav Kunte expressed his elation, saying, “Winning the NESC 2023 for the second time this year is a surreal feeling. Securing our spot in the regional qualifiers for GEG23 is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and skill set of every team member. We want to express our gratitude to ESFI for providing the platform for us to represent India on the global stage, and we are determined to make our nation proud.”
The first game of the finals saw both teams locked in a closely contested battle, with Team Top-G eventually prevailing with a score of 51-32 to take the lead. The second game, in contrast, was a one-sided affair as Team Top-G comfortably outclassed The Mob with a score of 24-6, securing their championship title. Notably, Vishal and Ketan, key players in the squad, were part of the historic DOTA 2 team that clinched the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in 2022.
Lokesh Suji, Director of the Esports Federation of India and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), congratulated Team Top-G on their remarkable performance. He stated, “By successfully qualifying for the regional qualifiers of two of the biggest Esports tournaments in the world, they have established themselves as the best DOTA 2 team in the country. We are confident that their remarkable talent will help the country ace the regional qualifiers and make their mark in Riyadh.”
The Global Esports Games 2023 (GEG23) is scheduled to be held from December 11 to 16, featuring four major titles: DOTA 2, Street Fighter, eFootball 2023, and PUBG Mobile, with participants required to be above the age of 18 to ensure a fair and competitive environment. India will compete in three of these titles in the Open category: DOTA 2, eFootball 2023, and Street Fighter 6.
Following the conclusion of the national qualifiers for DOTA 2, the qualifiers for eFootball 2023 and Street Fighter 6 will commence on September 9.
The NESC’23 was played in a double-elimination format, providing exciting action for Esports enthusiasts. The Championships were streamed live on ESFI’s official YouTube and Facebook pages, allowing fans to witness the intense competition in real time. As Team Top-G gears up for the regional qualifiers, they carry with them the hopes and aspirations of a nation, eager to shine on the global stage of Esports.
