Indian esports has lost a true warrior who fought with the spirit of Yuvraj Singh. Despite being diagnosed with a serious medical condition, he continued to compete at the highest level and even participated in the Free Fire MAX Asia Invitational just a week after undergoing surgery, telling his teammates, “Sab chill hai – main khelega.”
Seventeen-year-old Free Fire MAX player Gaurav Tiwari, popularly known as Marvel, passed away on December 26, 2025, following health complications. Marvel had briefly represented S8UL Esports for over two months and had also played for several other organizations during his esports career.
He was widely known for his active presence in the Indian Free Fire MAX competitive scene and had participated in multiple official Free Fire MAX tournaments in recent months. His dedication, fighting spirit, and commitment to the game left a lasting impact on teammates and the wider Indian esports community.
Diagnosed With Ascites Five Weeks Ago
According to close sources, Marvel was diagnosed with Ascites around five weeks before his passing. Ascites is a medical condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the abdominal area. After undergoing necessary medical tests, doctors scheduled a surgery to remove the fluid.
The surgery was reported to be successful and went smoothly. Following the operation, Marvel was placed on regular medication and advised to follow a strict recovery plan, including a liquid-only diet, due to the recent surgery.
Continued Playing Competitive Tournaments
Despite the diagnosis and surgery, Marvel continued to remain active in competitive Free Fire MAX esports. Just a week after the operation, he participated in official tournaments, including FFMAI major events.
Sources stated that teammates and close friends advised him to rest and prioritize his health. However, Marvel insisted on playing and assured everyone that his condition was stable.
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Hospitalisation and ICU Admission
Around 8–9 days before his passing, Marvel informed close contacts that he had been admitted to the hospital due to an emergency. Initially, he mentioned that he would return within a few days.
Later, his condition reportedly worsened suddenly, after which he was shifted to the ICU and placed on ventilator support. Family members shared that while he was not conscious, his health had shown signs of improvement over the following days.
On Friday afternoon, it was confirmed that Marvel had passed away the previous night. The exact cause of death has not been officially disclosed by the family.
Marvel was known among friends as a positive and determined individual. He often spoke about his fighting mindset and was once quoted saying, “Mere andar Yuvraj Singh ki aatma aa gayi hai,” reflecting his never-give-up attitude.
Following the news, several players, teammates, and members of the Free Fire MAX community in India expressed their condolences on social media, remembering Marvel for his passion and dedication to esports.
The Free Fire MAX player death has once again highlighted the importance of health management for esports athletes competing under intense physical and mental pressure.