SumaiL and Saksa Leave OG to Pursue New Opportunities

In a move that has the potential to alter the dynamic of the European Dota 2 professional scene, SumaiL and Saksa have both left OG's Dota 2 roster. The organization announced this roster move on its official blog, noting that both Syed "SumaiL" Sumail Hassan and Martin "Saksa" Sazdov expressed their desire to pursue new opportunities in a team meeting following The International 10 (TI10). OG was the reigning champion at TI10, but the team finished 7th-8th after losing to the eventual champions, Team Spirit. Replacements for SumaiL and Saksa have not been announced yet.

SumaiL and Saksa depart from OG

“Following TI11, both players expressed their wishes to look for opportunities outside of OG. We'll always cherish the time we spend together, and we wish you the best in the future,” OG wrote on Twitter. OG also thanked both players for their contributions.

OG’s Dota 2 lineup now has three mainstay members left who were part of the TI8 and TI9 winning teams.

1. TBD

2. Topias Miikka "Topson" Taavitsainen

3. Sébastien "Ceb" Debs (has confirmed his retirement)

4. TBD

5. Johan "N0tail" Sundstein

Following nearly two years of service, Saksa departs the team. Early on, he did not have the best of times with the team because of roster changes and a dip in performance levels, but the team was able to secure the crucial TI10 spot in the end through the regional qualifier. Initially joining OG in Jan 2020 with Saksa, SumaiL had departed six months later but rejoined just prior to the regional qualifier. The team looked impressive during the group stage, but was surpassed by Team Secret and then by Team Spirit in the playoffs.

JMR Luna, CEO of OG Esports, said on this roster move:

“Both of them are incredible players and even better teammates. I am sure they will have a transformative effect in any organization they chose to join and they will continue to prove their world class talent. Martin, Sumail, you will be missed. Thank you for sharing this adventure with us and thank you for always being warm and kind to us all.”

During a tumultuous period for the professional Dota 2 scene, many teams are overhauling their rosters to arrive at the best lineup before the 2021-22 DPC. Furthermore, Ceb had stated after OG's elimination that TI10 was his final tournament, while Topson had said in July 2021 that TI10 might be his last TI and that he would take a break following the tournament. Official announcements regarding the future of the players are, however, still pending.

“Stay tuned, as more information on the next iteration of our team will be coming shortly,” OG wrote at the end of this blog about SumaiL and Saksa's departure. In addition to seeing what the two time TI champions have in store for us, it will be interesting to see where two reputed Dota 2 players, SumaiL and Saksa, end up in the next season.