J.Storm likely to skip ESL One Mumbai, Minor qualifiers could decide the fate of other teams

Cover image source: VPesports

Multiple teams could be backing out of ESL One Mumbai due to tight schedules and conflicts with the DPC. The DOTAPIT Minor kicks off one day after the Minor, ie 22nd of April at Croatia, which gives teams little time to fly in, rest and play. Currently, 6 of the 11 announced teams will be playing in the Minor qualifiers, which will end on the 6th of April.
 

It seems unlikely that teams who do qualify for the Minor actually attend ESL One Mumbai as their schedules will be too tightly packed. NiP and Alliance failed to make their mark in the MDL Paris Major qualifiers and will be fighting in the Minor quals. Fortunately for the viewers (unfortunately for the teams), even though EU has 2 slots, both teams are on the same side of the bracket, meaning that at least one will not make it to the event. (The format for EU and China is now double elimination). In CIS, both Na’Vi and Gambit are in the Minor quals, but on the same side of the bracket which means that at least one will be in attendance. In SEA, TNC are the most likely candidates to make it to DOTAPIT, which means that their slot at ESL One Mumbai is also in question.

In NA, J.Storm are the only team confirmed for Mumbai, who are also playing in the Minor qualifiers. But, they have already confirmed their attendance at another LAN which will be WSOE 6 in Las Vegas. The LAN is scheduled for April 13th and 14th, which gives the team little time to fly to Mumbai for a LAN which begins on the 16th. 
 

On April 13 & 14, @Infamous_GG, GGNGG, Team Team, & returning WSOE 1 runners-up @Team_JStorm will contend for a bout with Team Serenity for the title of #WSOE Champion at our next event:

WSOE 6: Dota 2 - Serenity's Destiny! https://t.co/co7DehZi9h pic.twitter.com/za5xqq3yzs

— WSOE (@WSOE) April 1, 2019

China’s Keen Gaming, SA’s Chaos Esports Club and NA’s Complexity have secured their spots at Paris so they won’t have to worry about the scheduling conflicts. The Pango and Signify are the other two teams who aren’t playing anything else close to the ESL One Mumbai dates and are also expected to attend. The 12th team is still TBA.