The inaugural day of the iQOO Battleground Series delivered everything fans could have hoped for—intense firefights, unexpected upsets, and dominant displays from top-tier teams. Six matches across three iconic PUBG Mobile battlegrounds showcased the incredible skill depth of India’s esports scene, with Orangutan and 8bit emerging as the early frontrunners after a day filled with clutch plays and strategic masterclasses.
iQOO Battleground Series Day 1
Here’s a quick recap of iQOO Battleground Series Day 1:
Match 1: Erangel
The tournament kicked off on Erangel with an unusual twist—an extremely western zone that caught many teams off guard. The opening match set the tone for what would be an unpredictable day of competition.
RGE became the first casualty of the tournament, falling early to Gods4Reason in what would be a sign of things to come. As the circle closed, the battlefield narrowed down to a thrilling finale featuring Genesis, OG, and RNTx in a 4v3v2 situation that had viewers on the edge of their seats.
The final showdown ultimately came down to a 4v3 battle between Genesis and OG. Genesis proved their championship caliber by maintaining composure under pressure, securing their first victory of the series with an impressive 9 kills to announce their arrival in style.
Match 2: Miramar
True to Miramar’s reputation, the second match started at a methodical pace as teams carefully positioned themselves across the desert landscape. However, as the play zone began its relentless squeeze, the action exploded into multiple simultaneous engagements.
The match’s defining moment came when Reckoning Esports’ Dionysus delivered a stunning 1v3 clutch against K9, showcasing the individual brilliance that separates good players from great ones. This incredible play energized his team and shifted momentum in their favor.
The endgame featured Team Forever, Wyld Fangs, and Meta Ninza in a tense 3v3v1 scenario. In the crucial 3v3 engagement between Team Forever and Wyld Fangs, the latter demonstrated exceptional composure and coordination to eliminate their opponents. They then efficiently finished off Meta Ninza’s lone survivor, Beard Baba, claiming victory with a dominant **12 finishes.
Match 3: Sanhok
Sanhok brought immediate drama with a hot drop clash between Phoenix Esports and fan-favorite RNTx. The confrontation proved costly for both squads—RNTx lost two players while Phoenix Esports sacrificed one, setting an aggressive tone for the remainder of the match.
The compact nature of Sanhok ensured chaotic fights throughout the match, but one team rose above the chaos. Orangutan displayed incredible map control and team coordination, systematically dismantling their opposition across the tropical battleground.
The final circles witnessed a 4v2v1 situation between Orangutan, Meta Ninza, and 8bit respectively. Orangutan’s dominance was undeniable as they secured their first victory of the day with an outstanding **16 finishes**—the highest kill count of the tournament so far.
Match 4: Erangel
The fourth match presented a fascinating contrast to the previous encounters. In an unusual display of patience and strategy, all 16 teams survived until the end of Stage 4—a testament to the tactical evolution of competitive PUBG Mobile.
This cautious approach created a powder keg that exploded as the safe zone shrunk. Fights erupted simultaneously across the map as teams scrambled for position in the final circles.
The endgame featured an epic 4v4v4 battle between True Rippers, 8bit, Likitha Esports, and Orangutan. In a bold tactical decision, Likitha Esports launched an aggressive rush on Orangutan’s compound position, successfully wiping them but suffering two casualties in the process.
After an extended and intense firefight, True Rippers demonstrated why patience is a virtue in competitive PUBG Mobile, claiming victory with **11 finishes** and proving that sometimes the best strategy is knowing when to strike.
Match 5: Miramar
The fifth match began with geographical intrigue as the first play zone formed in the southeast with approximately 25% submerged in water—creating unique positioning challenges for all teams.
Early casualties mounted quickly, with both Likitha Esports and Vasista Esports losing three players each by Stage 2, effectively ending their chances before the match truly began.
By Stage 9, only three teams remained standing: Team Forever, 8bit, and Genesis. What followed was a masterclass in aggressive play calling as 8bit showcased extreme domination, systematically dismantling their opponents with clinical precision.
The individual highlight belonged to 8bit’s spower, who alone secured 9 finishes in a phenomenal display of fragging power. 8bit claimed victory with 15 finishes, establishing themselves as serious contenders for the overall title.
Match 6: Erangel
The final match of the day mirrored the patience displayed in Match 4, with all 16 teams surviving through Stage 4 before the inevitable chaos ensued. As teams were forced into closer proximity, the battleground transformed into a series of intense skirmishes.
The climactic finish featured a 3v3v2 battle between 8bit, Orangutan, and Meta Ninza. In a fitting end to an incredible opening day, **Orangutan proved their mettle once again**, demonstrating the consistency that championship teams are built on.
Orangutan secured their second victory of the day with **13 finishes**, capping off a dominant performance that positions them as early tournament favorites.
The opening day of the iQOO Battleground Series witnessed an impressive competition on the Day 1. With Orangutan and 8bit emerging as early leaders through their explosive performances, and several teams showing flashes of brilliance, the stage is set for an incredible tournament ahead.