India Finalizes National Esports Squads for BRICS Championship and Global Esports Games
The drop is set — and it's HUGE.
The Esports Federation of India has just unveiled the final national squads heading to Moscow and Los Angeles this year, and we're looking at a stacked roster across PC, console, AND mobile. Following the conclusion of the National Esports Championships on August 5, India's finest are locked and loaded for the BRICS Esports Championship 2026 and the Global Esports Games 2026. Massive prep ground before the Asian Games — and every frag counts.
Moscow Calling: TEKKEN 8 Duo Ships Out to BRICS
September 9–15. VK Play Arena, Moscow. The Russian Esports Federation is hosting, and India is sending a two-man TEKKEN 8 squad that's absolutely dialed in.
National champion Arsalan Wani punched his ticket by winning the NESC BRICS qualifier. Joining him is Gurashish Singh, the NESC 2026 Asian Games winner. Two killers, one mission. Shubham and Ashish finished as runners-up in the qualifier — close, but no cigar this time.
GEG 2026: Multi-Title Siege on Los Angeles
Here's where it gets spicy for us mobile heads. The GEF-organised Global Esports Games in LA will see India field contingents across a ridiculous spread of titles — PC, console, mobile. The works.
Counter-Strike 2 — Diamond Dogs earned the national berth after defeating Friedup Gaming in the Grand Final. The squad: captain Ritesh Sarda, Hrishikesh Shenoy, Gourav Panwar, Garvit Nehra, and Yash Kumar Singh.
Clash Royale — Mobile pride is on the line! Devershi Kumar Kulhara took the Open crown, with Heer Chawda and Mohamed Rizal S rounding out the contingent. In the Women's category, Shagun Srivastava claimed top spot ahead of Nikita S.
eFootball — Chinmay Sahoo locks in the Open slot as the NESC 2026 Asian Games winner.
Plus squads in NBA 2K (Shubham Sharma captaining), Rocket League (Abhai Ponna leading the charge), and iRacing featuring Ferrari — where Yashwanth Babu topped the standings.
The MLBB Bombshell: India Stays Silent on Mobile Legends
Here's the gut-punch for the mobile competitive scene. ESFI confirmed India will NOT field a contingent in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang at these events, citing compliance with directives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the IT Act. We all knew the regulatory turbulence existed, but seeing it hit an international roster announcement? That stings. The omission leaves a void on the mobile MOBA front — and raises real questions about India's path in future multi-title events where MLBB is a marquee discipline.
Lokesh Suji, ESFI Hon. Gen Secretary and VP of the Asian Esports Federation, framed it straight: these tournaments are "invaluable opportunities" sharpening India's competitive edge for the Asian Games and beyond.
One question burns: with MLBB off the table and Clash Royale stepping into the spotlight, which mobile title becomes India's flagship on the global stage next?