Indian League of Legends Stars Shine from Gaming Cafes to Asian Games 2022

Mumbai: The Esports industry in India has witnessed exponential growth in the past decade, enabling it to emerge as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. The advent of high internet penetration, cheap smartphones, and emerging technologies have all resulted in a thriving community of video gamers who are propelling the sector to greater heights with their triumphs on the international stage.

While the country’s Esports landscape is mobile dominated, it is the PC title League of Legends that is making the country proud. Despite the game having no official server in India, the determination and passion of the game’s talented athletes saw them utilise their skills to impressively qualify for the 19 Asian Games Hangzhou.

By prevailing in the National Esports Championships (NESC) organised by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI), the star-studded unit of Akshaj Shenoy, Aditya Selvaraj, Aakash Shandilya, Mihir Ranjan, Sanindhya Malik, and Samarth Trivedi battled against the odds to secure their berth at the prestigious tournament. The team produced dazzling displays in the Central and South Asia seeding event to not only ensure favourable seeding at the tournament but also emerge as a powerhouse amongst the 19 teams that will be competing in the title.

Here are the legends of the titles that will be representing the country in the hopes of scripting history at Esports debut as a medal sport in the Asian Games 2022:

Akshaj Shenoy (Team Captain)

Akshaj Shenoy who goes by the in-game name 'Kai' is an exceptional individual who serves as the team captain for the Indian League of Legends team. With his strategic mindset and exceptional gameplay skills, the 21-year-old from Bangalore has become a driving force behind the team's success. Kai's leadership qualities and ability to make quick, decisive decisions make him an invaluable asset to the team. He is currently ranked first in South Asia.

“Compartmentalising your life is the key,” said Shenoy who has been striving to break stereotypes about gamers, and scored 95 per cent in his 12th board exams in 2020. “I want to have a solid educational background and pursue an MBA in HR management while being a professional gamer. That’s how I keep myself motivated and keep haters at bay,” he said.

“League of Legends currently does not have an India server and players are scattered on different servers. However, with the introduction of the new SEA server with reliable and stable pings, Indians and other South Asians should look to build a community in these servers.” the captain says while requesting the players to switch to the SEA servers.

"We are also going against professional players from countries who have fostered Esports as a sport for quite a period of time compared to India which has just recognised its potential. Organisations have been pumping resources into these individuals and they have received huge amounts of support in terms of Infrastructure, sponsorships, and coaching. Nonetheless, this does not demotivate us as this gives us a chance to prove our capabilities and showcase them to the world".

Akshaj’s parents are proud of their son’s achievements in Esports as well as how well he manages his academics. His mother is an online yoga instructor while his father manages a business.

Achievements:

1# ESFI RDAG NESC'22 LoL Qualifiers (April 2022)(played as Temple of Kings)

1# SMG x LXG League of Legends Cup (May 2023)(played as Temple of Kings)

1# AMD Skyesports PRO League (March 2022) (played as Temple of Kings)

1# WD Black CUP Season 2 Skyesports (January 2022) (played as Temple of Kings)

1# SMG Summer Cup Season 1 (April 2023) (played as Temple of Kings)

1# TEC South Asia Championship League (July 2020) (played as Exulansis Esports)

1# Asus ROG LoL Showdown 2 (May 2020)(played as Exulansis Esports)

1# Asus ROG LoL Showdown (August 2020)(played as Exulansis Esports)

1# SMG South Asian Championship (May 2020)(played as Exulansis Esports)

1# LXG League of Legends LAN Cup (May 2023)(played as Temple of Queens)

3# TEC South Asia Championship League Season 2 (August 2020)(played as Exulansis Esports)

3# TEC South Asia Championship League Season 3 (May 2020)(played as Exulansis Esports)

3# Lenovo Rise of Legion LOL Cup (October 2019)(played as Gatekeepers)

3# South Asia Champions Cup(May 2019)(Played as Gatekeepers)

Aditya Selvaraj

What started as a mere hobby quickly transformed into a relentless pursuit of passion for Aditya Selvaraj. Known by his in-game name Krow for the past decade, the 28-year-old has made the battlefield of League of Legends his playground and has earned several laurels with his strategic brilliance as a flexible player in the game and enabling the team with his tactics outside of it.

Based out of Bangalore, Aditya works in game development and has worked at prolific companies such as Electronic Arts and Zynga. He is currently at one of India’s most promising gaming startups at Bombay Play. “I’m grateful to Bombay Play and my colleagues for being supportive of my efforts to represent India on the national stage,” says Aditya. He believes that competing as an Esports athlete for a decade helped him develop valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, and discipline.

Climbing to the rank of Masters in both League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics, Aditya’s tactical skills have seen him secure the top 6 rank in South Asia. In a string of high-profile tournaments, he claimed victories in the AMD Skyesports PRO League, WD Black CUP Season 2, TEC South Asia Championship League, Asus ROG LoL Showdowns, and SMG South Asian Championship by showcasing his mastery in the top lane. Apart from his accolades as a player, he has also mentored players internationally. "League of Legends is more than just a game to me. It's a world where I can push my boundaries, and create my own legacy," says Aditya.

As the Asian Games beckon, Aditya armed with his vast experience as well as his exceptional talent is aiming to clinch a medal for his country. “With Esports making its debut as a medal sport, the Asian Games have become the pinnacle of competitive gaming for us. I am humbled to be among the select athletes participating in it and will be giving my utmost to seize this golden opportunity,” he said.

Achievements:

1# NESC RDAG Asian Games League of Legends Qualifiers (April 2022) (Played as Temple of Kings)