Cover-Credits:
Skyesports
India has emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Skyesports Souvenir 2023, marking its dominance in South Asian Counter-Strike. The thrilling Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) tournament unfolded over six days, culminating in a nail-biting showdown between Team India and Team UAE in which the former emerged victorious with a 2-1.
Team India was represented by Gods Reign who had previously won the Skyesports Masters 2023 tournament earlier this year. The roster has showcased plenty of potential and remained dominant throughout the tournament, topping the group stages and only dropping three games through the entirety of the tournament.
The event offered a $5,000 prize pool and showcased the exceptional talent from six participating countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the host nation, India.
Team India vs UAE: Full Recap
The journey to the finals was marked by intense competition and unwavering determination. Team India, led by their captain Parijat "reV3nnnn" Banerjee, displayed remarkable skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. They met their formidable opponents, Team UAE, in a best-of-three Grand Finals series that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
The Grand Finals kicked off on the iconic Mirage map, where Team UAE initially took an early lead. However, Team India clawed their way back into the game, ultimately prevailing with a narrow 16-14 victory. The second match, played on a different battleground, saw Team UAE dominating the second half, securing a 16-9 win and setting the stage for a thrilling decider.
The fate of the championship hung in the balance as the teams clashed on Inferno, and the match lived up to the hype. With rounds being traded and tensions soaring, the game entered overtime. In this crucial moment, Garvit ‘EmbeR’ Nehra, named the match MVP, delivered a standout performance that propelled Team India to a 19-16 victory, sealing their historic win and earning them the title of Skyesports Souvenir 2023 champions.
Gods Reign walks away with $2500 USD in prize money while Team Shush secures $1,000 USD for their runner-up finish.
Following the victory, Parijat "reV3nnnn" Banerjee shared that he was celebrating the victory for all of India. "We've shown that Indian esports cannot be taken lightly. Today we lift the Skyesports Souvenir trophy for ourselves, for our supporters, and our nation. I am proud to be part of Gods Reign, and this triumph reaffirms our hard work and dedication. We're just getting started," he said.
Additionally, Skyesports announced plans for future Counter Strike tournaments with the release of Counter-Strike 2, starting with the Skyesports Championship 5.0.
