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100 Thieves Eliminate G2 From Valorant Champions 2026 to Secure Lower Finals Spot

Sonu Banerjee
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100 Thieves Eliminate G2 From Valorant Champions 2026 to Secure Lower Finals Spot

With Valorant Champions 2026 rapidly nearing its conclusion, only a couple of games remain before Riot Games crowns a new winner for the prestigious tournament. The third round of the lower bracket saw 100 Thieves edge past G2 in the final map of a BO3, securing their revenge against the European org after being knocked down to the lower bracket after a 2-0 defeat to G2.

Hereโ€™s everything that went down in the best-of-three showdown between the two giants.

Map Veto

  • G2 bans Haven
  • 100 Thieves bans Abyss
  • G2 picks Lotus
  • 100 Thieves picks Ascent
  • G2 bans Split
  • 100 Thieves bans Sunset
  • Summit was left over

What Went Down

100 Thieves started on the Attacking side of Lotus to kick off the BO3. While they picked up several rounds over the course of the first half, they didnโ€™t manage to get a decisive lead heading into their defence, which G2 later capitalized on. Despite losing the second pistol round and the following force-buy, G2 put up an incredible attack over the rest of the half, leaving little room for mistakes as they secured the first game 13-10.

100 Thieves were on the back foot heading into their own map pick, and the nerves might have gotten to them as they trailed 5-7 in the first half despite grabbing the pistol round to get a head start. A second pistol-round win on Ascentโ€™s CT-side enabled 100 Thieves to get an economic advantage and mount up a solid defence, eventually grabbing the game with a 13-10 score.

The third and final map of the series, Summit, had the crowd on its toes. Despite getting a strong head start on the CT-side, G2 failed to maintain their momentum. 100 Thieves bounced back hard towards the latter part of the first half, heading into their own defence with a narrow lead. G2 could only grab a couple of rounds in the second half before 100 Thieves secured the series 2-1 with a 13-7 victory on Summit.

100 Thievesโ€™ Matthew โ€œCryocellsโ€ Panganiban shined the brightest for his team, ending the series with a whopping 59 kills and only 42 deaths.

ESIC Bans Hungarian Counter-Strike Player for Life

Aritra Patra
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ESIC Bans Hungarian Counter-Strike Player for Life

The playN lifetime ban is now official. On October 16, 2026, the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) imposed lifetime ineligibility on Hungarian Counter-Strike player Palkovics โ€œplayNโ€ Tamรกs. ESIC had earlier given him a 3-year ban as part of its NOMERCY match manipulation case. The commission revised that decision after he posted images of apparent cash on social media.

Below, you can read what ESIC decided, why it changed the sanction, how the original NOMERCY ruling looked, and what happens next for the player.

playN Lifetime Ban: What ESIC Decided

ESIC announced the lifetime ban on October 16, 2026. The sanction bars Tamรกs from covered ESIC and Member competitions in any capacity.

The new ban replaces the earlier 3-year exclusion. That ban would have run until April 23, 2029. ESIC says Tamรกs now has no scheduled return to ESIC Member competition in April 2029.

ESIC did not reduce the sanction for cooperation. It said it had considered his earlier assistance, but that it did not excuse his later conduct.

Why ESIC Revised the Ban

The revision follows public posts Tamรกs made after ESIC published his original sanction. ESIC says the posts displayed apparent cash and other proceeds of financial crime. They also carried comments about the match manipulation findings, betting payouts and a return to competition.

ESIC called this an egregious breach that created the appearance of improper conduct. It cited its Code of Conduct and its Anti-Corruption Code. The commission served the revised final sanction on Tamรกs by email. It recorded the original findings and did not charge them again.

ESIC did not name the specific post. According to reports, the screenshot appears to show the player holding a large amount of cash. Also, the caption referred to a return to the Roman Imperium Cup in 2029.

ESIC also added a clarification. Its decision does not find, from the photographs alone, that the money shown came from match-fixing.

NOMERCY Match Manipulation Case Background

ESIC announced the NOMERCY sanctions a day earlier, on October 15, 2026. The case covered 5 NOMERCY players who took part in Roman Imperium Cup VII. The event took place in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, in late March.

The investigation looked at 4 best-of-1 group stage matches, all played on March 28, 2026. NOMERCY lost every one of them.

MatchResult
BETBOOM vs NOMERCY13:0
Sangal vs NOMERCY13:3
BESTIA vs NOMERCY13:1
Wildcard vs NOMERCY13:1

ESIC based its findings on a broad evidence bundle. It included betting intelligence, which found a high-value combination bet on all 4 matches. ESIC also used a full-match gameplay review, player analysis, communications and financial material, and participant responses. The report notes that no single gameplay error, transaction or communication was treated as decisive.

Original NOMERCY Sanctions

ESIC gave the 5 players three tiers of sanctions. The expiry dates count from the start of their provisional sanctions in April.

PlayerOriginal sanction
Oliver โ€œkzyโ€ HeckLifetime
Jรกnos โ€œJames8kโ€ FodorUntil April 23, 2031
Petar โ€œperakokanjeโ€ BeลกirUntil April 23, 2031
Palkovics โ€œplayNโ€ TamรกsUntil April 23, 2029 (now lifetime)
Sreten โ€œsrtn1โ€ Smiljaniฤ‡Until April 23, 2029

ESIC gave kzy a lifetime ban for his central leadership and calling role, his part in veto decisions, repeated gameplay involvement, and complete non-cooperation. Fodor and Beลกir received 5-year sanctions because of the findings and failures to cooperate.

Tamรกs, who is 22, received a lighter sanction at first. ESIC cited his detailed responses, financial and communications production, continued engagement, youth, and relative lack of experience. His sanction now matches the one given to kzy.

ESIC will notify its Members so they can enforce the decision within their powers. It will also refer the sanctioned conduct to Valve, government agencies and law enforcement.

ESIC also stated that a fixed-term ban gives no immunity from further enforcement. Participants remain accountable for serious integrity breaches while suspended. The commission says it will seek permanent exclusion where proven conduct and the protection of fair competition justify it.

BMSD 2026 Match 4 & 5 Rehosted: Here’s why

Aditya Parsutkar
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BMSD 2026 Match 4 & 5 Rehosted: Here’s why

Match 4 & 5 of the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals was rehosted on Day 1 after four teams were in the game without their players on stage. GodLike Esports, Myth Official, Revenant XSpark and Version 1 x Blue Army had their IDs logged into the lobby, but the squads never joined the match from the stage in Hyderabad.

K9 Esports made the most of it. They found all four empty squads and eliminated them for 16 finishes, before KRAFTON India rehosted the game.

The rehost means those 16 finishes donโ€™t count. It is the first major incident of the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals, which run until October 18 at Savaaya Convention.

What Happened in Match 5

Match 5 was the first Miramar game of Day 1, coming after three matches on Erangel and one on Rondo. When the match began, four squads were in the lobby, but their players werenโ€™t in their seats on stage.

Their IDs were already in the game. With nobody controlling them, the four teams were sitting ducks.

K9 Esports swept through them and picked up 16 finishes, one for every idle player. KRAFTON India later rehosted the match, so the original result and the finishes were wiped.

What KRAFTON India Has Said

The players were not ready on stage when the match began, even though their IDs were in the lobby. KRAFTON India has not explained how that happened.

KRAFTON India has not published an official statement on the rehost at the time of writing. We will update this story when it does.

What the Rehost Means for K9 Esports

K9 Esports is the team that loses the most. Under BMSD scoring, every finish is worth 1 point, so the voided match cost them at least 16 points before placement points.

K9 had already won Match 1 and sat third on the Day 1 table with 40 points after Match 3, behind Blitz Esports (50) and Team Outrage (42). A 16-point swing from a single match is huge in an 18-match event.

That margin matters more than usual at this event. The Smash Rule on Day 3 sets the target at the Day 2 leaderโ€™s points plus 10, so every point banked on Day 1 shapes the race for the title.

What It Means for GodLike, Myth and Revenant XSpark

For the four affected teams, the rehost was a lifeline. Losing a full match with zero points on Day 1 would have left them chasing from the bottom of a 16-team table.

GodLike Esports came into the Grand Finals as one of the favourites after topping the Semi Finals table midway through. Revenant XSpark had qualified straight from the Week 3 Qualifiers and had more than two weeks to prepare.

Where to Follow the Updated Standings

All matches stream on the KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel. You can follow the rehosted Match 5 result and the rest of Day 1 on our live Day 1 BMSD 2026 Grand Finals points table.

The full event hub, with the schedule, prize pool and qualified teams, is on the BMSD 2026 page on TalkEsport Wiki.

Live Day 1 BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Points Table: Check Overall Standings

Aditya Parsutkar
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Live Day 1 BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Points Table: Check Overall Standings

Live BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 Points Table: Check Overall Standings

The BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 is being played today, October 16, at Saavaaya Convention, Hyderabad. A total of 16 teams will compete in six matches across Rondo, Erangel, and Miramar, with the action starting at 2:40 PM IST.

The BGMI Showdown 2026 Grand Finals will feature some of the biggest teams in India, including GodLike Esports, Team Soul, Revenant XSpark, Team Apex Gaming, and more. All 16 teams will fight for the championship and a share of the โ‚น1 crore prize pool.

We will update the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 live points table after every match. Check the overall standings, schedule, teams, format, and streaming details below.

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 Live Points Table

After Match 6/6

Please refresh the page after every match for the latest overall standings.

  • 1st Place: iQOO 8Bit โ€“ 63 Points
  • 2nd Place: Blitz Epigrotive Gaming โ€“ 60 Points
  • 3rd Place: K9 Esports โ€“ 57 Points
  • 4th Place: Welt Esports โ€“ 55 Points
  • 5th Place: Myth Official โ€“ 49 Points
  • 6th Place: Version1 x Blue Army โ€“ 43 Points
  • 7th Place: Team Outrage โ€“ 42 Points
  • 8th Place: Team Apex Gaming โ€“ 36 Points
  • 9th Place: iQOO Soul โ€“ 34 Points
  • 10th Place: Wyld Fangs โ€“ 34 Points
  • 11th Place: Meta Ninza โ€“ 24 Points
  • 12th Place: Nebula Esports โ€“ 20 Points
  • 13th Place: GodLike Esports โ€“ 20 Points
  • 14th Place: Gladiators Esports โ€“ 18 Points
  • 15th Place: Genesis Esports โ€“ 15 Points
  • 16th Place: iQOO Revenant XSpark โ€“ 14 Points

Note: The Grand Finals points table will be updated once the first match concludes. All teams begin the Grand Finals with zero points.

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 Schedule

Here is the complete schedule for October 16. All timings are in IST.

MatchTimeMap
Match 12:40 PMRondo
Match 23:20 PMErangel
Match 34:05 PMErangel
Match 44:45 PMErangel
Match 55:30 PMMiramar
Match 66:10 PMMiramar

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Teams

The following 16 teams have qualified for the Grand Finals:

  1. 8Bit
  2. Blitz Epigrotive Gaming
  3. Blue Army
  4. Genesis Esports
  5. Gladiators Esports
  6. GodLike Esports
  7. K9 Esports
  8. Meta Ninza
  9. Myth Official
  10. Nebula Esports
  11. Revenant XSpark
  12. Team Apex Gaming
  13. Team Outrage
  14. Team Soul
  15. Welt Esports
  16. Wyld Fangs

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Format

The BMSD 2026 Grand Finals will take place from October 16 to 18 at Saavaaya Convention, Hyderabad.

A total of 16 teams have qualified from three different stages: four teams from Qualifiers Group A, eight teams from the Semi Finals, and four teams from Last Chance.

The Grand Finals will feature 18 matches across three days, with six matches played each day.

The first two days will follow the regular points system, while the Smash Rule will be introduced on the final day.

BMSD 2026 Smash Rule Explained

The Smash Rule will come into effect on Day 3 of the Grand Finals.

After the first 12 matches, the points of the leading team will be used to decide the Match Point threshold. The threshold will be the first-placed team’s points after Match 12 plus 10 points.

Once a team reaches this threshold, it becomes Match Point Eligible. The first eligible team to secure a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner (WWCD) will be crowned the BMSD 2026 champion.

If no eligible team wins a WWCD during the final six matches, the team with the highest overall points after all 18 matches will become the champion.

Where to Watch BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 Live?

Fans can watch all six matches of BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 on the official KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel.

The tournament will be broadcast in multiple languages, including Hindi and English.

The Grand Finals will conclude on October 18, when one of the 16 teams will be crowned the BMSD 2026 champion.

EXCLUSIVE: KRAFTON India Unveils BATTLIN Esports App With INR 20 Lakh Tournament and BGIS 2027 Slot

Aditya Parsutkar
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EXCLUSIVE: KRAFTON India Unveils BATTLIN Esports App With INR 20 Lakh Tournament and BGIS 2027 Slot

KRAFTON India has unveiled BATTLIN, a new competitive gaming platform, during its esports press conference held on October 16, 2026, in Hyderabad. The platform is set to launch alongside the BGMI Showdown (BMSD) 2026 Grand Finals and will introduce a new tournament called BATTLIN Open Season 1.

According to the presentation attended by TalkEsport, BATTLIN Open Season 1 will feature a INR 20 lakh prize pool, with the winning team also earning a direct slot in BGIS 2027.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from November 2 to November 29, 2026.

The announcement is an important development for India’s BGMI esports ecosystem, as BATTLIN aims to provide another competitive opportunity for players looking to enter major tournaments.

What Is BATTLIN?

BATTLIN is a new competitive gaming platform presented at KRAFTON India’s esports press conference in Hyderabad.

The platform is being introduced alongside BMSD 2026, with BATTLIN Open Season 1 announced as its first official tournament.

Rather than being limited to a single competition, the announcement positions BATTLIN as a platform through which players can participate in organised esports events and work towards bigger competitive opportunities.

One of its biggest attractions is the direct qualification opportunity for BGIS 2027.

The presentation used the message “Recognition That Travels,” highlighting the connection between the platform’s first tournament and the wider BGMI esports circuit.

BATTLIN Open Season 1 Dates and Prize Pool

BATTLIN Open Season 1 is scheduled to begin on November 2 and conclude on November 29, 2026.

Here are the details revealed during the presentation:

DetailsInformation
PlatformBATTLIN
AnnouncementOctober 16, 2026
First TournamentBATTLIN Open Season 1
Tournament DatesNovember 2โ€“29, 2026
Prize PoolINR 20 lakh
Qualification RewardOne direct BGIS 2027 slot
Launch EventBMSD 2026 Grand Finals

The โ‚น20 lakh prize pool is a major attraction for the first season, especially for teams looking for additional competitive opportunities outside the regular BGMI esports calendar.

BATTLIN Open Season 1 Winner to Receive Direct BGIS 2027 Slot

One of the biggest announcements was that the winning team of BATTLIN Open Season 1 will receive one direct slot in BGIS 2027.

This means the tournament will offer more than prize money. Its champion will also earn a qualification opportunity in one of India’s biggest BGMI esports competitions.

The promotional material shown at the event also highlighted the message “Grind for Glory” and mentioned a Find Players/Squad feature.

This suggests that BATTLIN is being designed not only for tournaments but also to help players find teammates and build squads.

However, the presentation did not clearly establish the exact BGIS 2027 stage that the winning team will enter.

How Will the BATTLIN App Work?

BATTLIN is a platform focused on competitive gaming and tournament participation.

The Find Players/Squad feature suggests that players will be able to discover teammates rather than needing to enter every competition with an existing squad.

The detailed registration process, supported devices, eligibility requirements, and tournament format have not yet been fully established from the presentation material.

Players will need to wait for further information about how to download the app, create an account, and register for BATTLIN Open Season 1.

What Does BATTLIN Mean for Indian BGMI Esports?

The new platform could provide an additional opportunity for aspiring BGMI players to enter competitive esports.

For teams that are not yet established in the professional circuit, a tournament with a INR 20 lakh prize pool and a BGIS 2027 qualification reward could offer a valuable competitive pathway.

BATTLIN Open Season 1 will begin on November 2, following its October 16 unveiling at BMSD 2026.

More details about the platform and its first tournament are expected as registrations and competition preparations progress.

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1: Timings, Teams, Maps, Format, Streaming, and More

Aditya Parsutkar
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BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1: Timings, Teams, Maps, Format, Streaming, and More

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 will be played today, October 16, at Saavaaya Convention, Hyderabad. 16 grand finalists will compete in a total of six games on the first day across Rondo, Miramar, and Erangel. The matches will kick off at 2:40 PM IST and will run until 7:00 PM IST. Check out the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 schedule, teams, format, where to watch, and more.

BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Day 1 schedule and teams

MatchTimeMap
Match 12:40 PMRondo
Match 23:20 PMErangel
Match 34:05 PMErangel
Match 44:45 PMErangel
Match 55:30 PMMiramar
Match 66:10 PMMiramar

Teams

  • 8Bit
  • Blitz Epigrotive Gaming
  • Blue Army
  • Genesis Esports
  • Gladiators Esports
  • Godlike Esports
  • K9 Esports
  • Meta Ninza
  • Myth Official
  • Nebula Esports
  • Revenant XSpark
  • Team Apex Gaming
  • Team Outrage
  • Team Soul
  • Welt Esports
  • Wyld Fangs

Read More: Winter is coming back in BGMI 4.7 update in November 2026

Where to watch BGMI Showdown 2026 Grand Finals?

Fans can enjoy all matches of the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals live on the official YouTube channel of Krafton India Esports in multiple languages, including Hindi and English.

BMSD 2026 Smash Rule Explained

The Smash Rule will be introduced on Day 3 of the Grand Finals.

After the first 12 matches, the points of the first-placed team will be used to decide the Match Point threshold. The threshold will be the leading teamโ€™s points after Match 12 plus 10 points.

Once a team reaches this threshold, it becomes Match Point Eligible. The first eligible team to secure a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner (WWCD) will be crowned the BMSD 2026 champion.

If no eligible team secures a WWCD during the final six matches, the team with the highest overall points after all 18 matches will become the champion.

NinjaJOD Interview: โ€œWeaknesses I Wonโ€™t Tell You,โ€ Revenant XSpark IGL on BMSD 2026 Grand Finals

Pranav Nalawade
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NinjaJOD Interview: โ€œWeaknesses I Wonโ€™t Tell You,โ€ Revenant XSpark IGL on BMSD 2026 Grand Finals

Revenant XSparkโ€™s IGL Shubham โ€œNinjaJODโ€ Sahoo says his team is โ€œvery confidentโ€ going into the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals in Hyderabad. Revenant XSpark was one of the first four teams to book a finals spot, straight out of the Week 3 Qualifiers, and NinjaJOD says the long break helped.

He also explained why he switched from two-finger controls, how much freedom he gives his assaulters, and what a win would mean in the same city where he lifted the BGIS 2024 trophy with Team XSpark.

Pranav spoke to NinjaJOD for TalkEsport ahead of Day 1. Watch the full interview below, or read the full conversation.

Who Is NinjaJOD?

NinjaJOD won BGIS 2024 with Team XSpark at HITEX in Hyderabad, a title that earned the team โ‚น60 lakh. He built his name as a front-line assaulter, then took over as IGL after Revenant XSpark released Punk and JD Gaming in April 2026.

His current lineup has TraceGod, Pain and Proton as assaulters. Revenant XSpark is one of the 16 teams in the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals, which run from October 16 to 18 at Savaaya Convention.

The Full Interview

TalkEsport: Revenant XSpark was one of the first four teams to qualify directly for the Grand Finals from the Week 3 Qualifiers. That gave you more preparation time than most. How did you use it, and how confident are you about the title?

NinjaJOD: Confidence is very high. In the gap we got, we grinded a lot and watched a lot of matches.

We looked at what the other teams are doing and what they arenโ€™t doing, and focused on all of that. The rest will play out on the day.

TalkEsport: Your team goes straight into the Grand Finals after roughly 17 days without competitive matches. Thereโ€™s extra prep time, but thereโ€™s also the risk of losing match rhythm. Has the long gap been an advantage, or could the team feel some rust?

NinjaJOD: Itโ€™s been an advantage, man. Who wants the stress of fighting through every stage and then playing the finals at the end?

By watching the matches, we could see which team was playing what and at what timings. Whatever we needed, our coach and analysts helped us with.

On the side, we kept up our own grind too, playing scrims and all that. And we had fun.

TalkEsport: For years we saw you as a front-line assaulter. Since you took over as IGL, your team has reached the Grand Finals of every official tournament. How has that transition been, and how hard is it for an aggressive assaulter to make decisions for the whole team?

NinjaJOD: The transition has been really good. Iโ€™m enjoying it, and Iโ€™m happy that weโ€™re playing every official.

It isnโ€™t that challenging, honestly. Itโ€™s normal. It comes down to whether youโ€™re prepared and confident in yourself.

I was confident, and my team was with me on it. So itโ€™s been easy.

TalkEsport: A lot of people in our YouTube comments see Revenant XSpark as a title contender because of your firepower. But aggression alone isnโ€™t enough in a Grand Finals. Whatโ€™s this rosterโ€™s biggest strength, and which weakness do you need to fix before the finals?

NinjaJOD: The weaknesses, I wonโ€™t tell you.

Our strength is that we used to choke a lot on one thing. When we played too aggressive, weโ€™d go completely mad and stop watching positions.

Now weโ€™re balancing everything and playing well. Everyone resets quickly and doesnโ€™t overthink the last match, which wasnโ€™t happening before. Everyone stays confident that however many matches are left, we have to play well, and everyone comes prepared.

TalkEsport: The Smash Rule is being used at BMSD for the first time. As an IGL, once you reach match point, you have to prioritise the chicken dinner over finishes. Will Revenant XSpark keep its natural aggressive style, or will we see a completely different approach after you hit the target?

NinjaJOD: For the Smash Rule, weโ€™ll have to see. Itโ€™s not like you need to play aggressive the whole time.

Sometimes it depends on the situation, where to play and how. Our main focus is getting the chicken, because whatโ€™s the point of taking 10 kills and dying early?

It goes match to match. And who knows, maybe this time weโ€™ll be the first team to do it under the Smash Rule.

TalkEsport: The BGMI meta has evolved a lot, and thereโ€™s a debate that two-finger players now struggle to compete at the top level. You used to play two-finger yourself. Are you still on the same controls, and do you think two-finger players can compete internationally in the current meta?

NinjaJOD: I believe you can play on any controls. You just need to be confident in how you play.

If youโ€™re confident itโ€™s enough to kill the guy in front of you, clutch and save your team, then itโ€™s good for you. But there were a lot of things I wasnโ€™t able to do.

A player has to evolve from time to time, and I felt this was the right time for me. New things keep coming in, like peek and fire, which is very tough on thumbs, so I changed my controls.

TalkEsport: Hyderabad holds special memories for you. You lifted the BGIS trophy here in 2024, and your former teammates from that roster are now on different teams, some of them in this Grand Finals too. How does it feel to come back to the same city two years later and compete against them?

NinjaJOD: It feels really good, and Iโ€™m happy that all my brothers made it too. The roster may be different, but the mindset is the same.

Last time, I left Hyderabad very happy. Hopefully, this time I leave Hyderabad very happy too.

TalkEsport: Weโ€™ve seen a lot of improvement in your IGLing. But when you were a pure assaulter, your individual firepower was on another level, and that aggression shows up less now. Is that a sacrifice for the team, or do you want your old fragging form back?

NinjaJOD: Back then I was kill-crazy. Now Iโ€™m not. Now I play according to the situation.

Even if I stay at the back, I know my other assaulters will do whatโ€™s needed, so I donโ€™t have to. I trust them that much, even when Iโ€™m covering their backs.

And they trust me the same way. If theyโ€™re holding the fight and getting kills, they know Iโ€™ll get mine too. Thatโ€™s all it is.

TalkEsport: TraceGod and Pain are both in great form this tournament, and a big part of your firepower comes from them. As IGL, how much freedom do you give them? Do you only give positioning and information and leave fights to their instincts, or does every aggressive push follow your calls?

NinjaJOD: Thereโ€™s nothing like that with calls. Iโ€™ve told everyone to take the fight if they feel itโ€™s right and that we can win it.

They know more about those situations, because theyโ€™re the ones up front. So Iโ€™ve left it to them. Just give the call.

TraceGod and Pain are getting the kills, and Proton is playing really well too. That trio is deadly, and they handle it.

TalkEsport: When you won BGIS 2024 in Hyderabad, ScoutOP was with you. Now Scout is inside the Bigg Boss house, and youโ€™re competing for a trophy in Hyderabad again. If you win the championship, will there be a special message or dedication for him?

NinjaJOD: I just hope he wins there and we win here. Then the whole vibe in Mumbai will be something else. (laughs)

TalkEsport: Last question. Whatโ€™s your message for Revenant XSpark fans, especially those who have backed this roster consistently since you became IGL?

NinjaJOD: For them, Iโ€™ll just say thank you so much to everyone who supports us. When I started playing, I never thought Iโ€™d get this much love.

Through my bad times, and now as my role changed, the people who love me never stopped supporting me. Even a thank you feels like too little.

The rest of you are family anyway, so keep giving love like this. Iโ€™ll try my best this time, and you stay happy.

How to Follow Revenant XSpark at BMSD 2026

The Grand Finals stream live on the KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel from October 16 to 18 in Hindi and English. Track Revenant XSparkโ€™s points match by match on the BMSD 2026 points table on TalkEsport Wiki.

The finals use the Smash Rule on Day 3, and the champion books a PMGC 2026 slot. For more on ScoutOPโ€™s current stint, read our story on how he became the first Indian esports star in Bigg Boss.

Dota 2 Pro Gets Handcuffed by Detectives, Freed After Proving His Identity

Sonu Banerjee
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Dota 2 Pro Gets Handcuffed by Detectives, Freed After Proving His Identity

Thai Dota 2 pro Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon has recently shared a bizarre firsthand experience of a surprise visit from Kuala Lumpur police detectives at his teamโ€™s bootcamp house.

According to the Xipto Esports player, police detectives came into the house, restrained him with handcuffs, and questioned him for hours until he proved who he was, which he did by winning a match in front of them. The post, published on 13 October via his official Facebook account, has gone viral in only a few hours, garnering around 9,000 reactions and 1,400 shares.

23savage Drops 32 Kills as Kez in Front of Malaysian Police

In his post, 23savage says that the team had just finished practice and was relaxing on their phones when a group of detectives entered the house. They collected passports and phones and shut down the internet and the computers.

He was then handcuffed together with Saieful โ€œFbzโ€ Ilham and Chon Kien โ€œOliโ€ Chan, and they were held for about two hours. During that time, the detectives asked what they did for a living and whether they were genuinely professional gamers.

The mood shifted when one detective, wearing a France football shirt with Oliseโ€™s number 11, said he knew Dota and had heard of Fnatic. 23savage showed him his Instagram account, and the officer recognised Ms. Puiyi, a Malaysian media personality, in his photos. That helped convince the detectives that he was a genuine competitor and a public figure.

With tension then easing, 23savage asked how much longer it would take, since he needed to prepare for matches. The detectives took off his handcuffs, though only his, and invited him to prove his skills in a live game. Playing Kez while an officer watched, he finished the match after dropping a whopping 32 kills. This was enough to convince the detectives, and 23savage was allowed to go back to playing.

The story ended on a light note. By his account, the detective helped himself to two boxes of 23savageโ€™s Nutella. He wrote that, despite the ordeal, he considers it a good experience.

โ€œNo Heart Attacks This Timeโ€: Jonathan Gaming on Team Apex Gamingโ€™s BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Plan

Pranav Nalawade
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โ€œNo Heart Attacks This Timeโ€: Jonathan Gaming on Team Apex Gamingโ€™s BMSD 2026 Grand Finals Plan

Jonathan Gaming says Team Apex Gaming went into BMSD 2026 with one rule: no more last-minute scares for their fans. Speaking to TalkEsport ahead of the Grand Finals in Hyderabad, he said the team wanted to qualify โ€œwith respect, by playing proper, good gamesโ€, and it did.

The BMSD 2026 Grand Finals run from October 16 to 18 at Savaaya Convention. The champion gets a direct slot at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2026, and Jonathan said a return to the international stage would be โ€œsuper funโ€ after a long gap.

Watch the full interview below, or read on for everything he said.

โ€œThis Time, No Heart Attacksโ€

We asked Jonathan why Team Apex Gaming keeps giving fans a scare in almost every tournament, and what the plan was for the Grand Finals. He laughed it off but admitted the team had made a conscious change this time.

โ€œThis time we planned it ourselves: letโ€™s give it all. This time, you know, no heart attacks,โ€ Jonathan said.

โ€œI guess people did get a heart attack in between. But the plan this time was to qualify for the finals with respect, by playing proper, good games, and we did it.โ€

He kept his prediction short. โ€œHopefully, this time itโ€™s going to happen.โ€

Jonathan on PMGC and the International Stage

The BMSD 2026 champion qualifies directly for PMGC 2026 in Tรผrkiye. Fans have wanted to see Jonathan back on an international stage for a long time, and he didnโ€™t pretend otherwise.

โ€œItโ€™s been a while since your bhai played on the international stage,โ€ he said. โ€œI had become a little rusty too. But itโ€™s going to be super fun to be playing on the international stage after a long time.โ€

His approach is simple. โ€œJust enjoy myself, have fun and just keep going. Thatโ€™s it.โ€

Why โ€œBhai Ki Gaadiโ€ Starts Slow

Fans have noticed a pattern. As a Grand Finals gets closer, the aggressive โ€œ2019 Jonathanโ€ seems to come back, so we asked whether pressure motivates him or whether he changes his approach in big matches.

His answer was that the early matches are for reading the lobby. โ€œThe starting matches take time for me to understand the lobby, how people are playing, whatโ€™s working and whatโ€™s not,โ€ he said.

โ€œPeople also know that your bhaiโ€™s car starts slow,โ€ Jonathan added. โ€œSo as the games get tougher, I adjust according to the games and just give my best.โ€

Team Apex Gamingโ€™s Road to Hyderabad

Jonathan co-founded Team Apex Gaming in April 2026 after more than four years at GodLike Esports, moving from player to team owner while still playing as an assaulter. Earlier in the year, he had opened up about being benched at BGIS 2026 during GodLikeโ€™s run to fifth place.

At BMSD 2026, Apex Gaming qualified through the Semi Finals, where they sat second with 94 points at the halfway mark on October 9. That puts them among the 16 teams in the BMSD 2026 Grand Finals, alongside his old team, GodLike Esports.

The finals feature 18 matches across Erangel, Miramar and Rondo, with a โ‚น1 crore prize pool. Besides the PMGC slot for the winner, the top six teams qualify for BMIC 2026 in Mumbai.

How to Follow Jonathan at BMSD 2026

All three days stream live on the KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel in Hindi and English. Team Apex Gamingโ€™s points will update match by match on the BMSD 2026 points table on TalkEsport Wiki.

Heading to the venue? Our BMSD 2026 Hyderabad preview covers tickets, the Smash Rule and whatโ€™s at stake.

Jonathan ended the chat with a joke for anyone watching the video. โ€œGuys, whoever is watching, donโ€™t subscribe at all. Run away.โ€

BGMI Air Pre-Registration Crosses 10 Million: How to Sign Up and What Comes Next

Divyesh Moghe
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BGMI Air Pre-Registration Crosses 10 Million: How to Sign Up and What Comes Next

BGMI Air has crossed 10 million pre-registrations on Google Play, KRAFTON India confirmed on October 15, 2026. Sign-ups opened for Android users in India on August 25, so the game reached the mark in 51 days. It launches in India later this year, with an Open Beta coming first.

That works out to roughly 1.96 lakh sign-ups a day since the page went live. The count includes everyone who registered back when the game was still called BGMI LITE. If youโ€™re one of them, you donโ€™t need to register again.

The new name came with the same announcement, and weโ€™ve covered why BGMI LITE became BGMI Air separately. This piece is about registration: how to sign up, what you get, and what happens next.

What 10 Million Pre-Registrations Tells Us

KRAFTON India called the number a sign of โ€œstrong anticipationโ€ among players. The pitch is a lighter way into BGMI for people whose phones canโ€™t spare the storage the main game needs.

The original BGMI moved faster. It crossed 20 million pre-registrations within two weeks of opening on May 18, 2021, and passed 40 million before its July 2021 launch, as TechRadar reported at the time.

The comparison isnโ€™t one-to-one. BGMI was the comeback of a banned game that millions were waiting for, while BGMI Air arrives with the main game still live and past 260 million downloads, according to KRAFTON India.

How to Pre-Register for BGMI Air

Pre-registration works only on Android phones for now.

  1. Open the Google Play Store and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Search for โ€œBGMI Airโ€ and open the listing published by KRAFTON India.
  3. Tap โ€œPre-registerโ€ and confirm.
  4. If Play Store offers โ€œInstall when availableโ€, turn it on to get the game the moment it goes live.

Stick to the official Play Store listing. Websites offering BGMI Air APK files or iOS download links arenโ€™t official, and KRAFTON India hasnโ€™t opened iOS sign-ups.

Our original pre-registration guide from August 25 covers the same steps in more detail.

Are There Any Pre-Registration Rewards?

No rewards have been announced. KRAFTON Indiaโ€™s October 15 statement doesnโ€™t mention any, and Digit reported in August that none had been confirmed.

That could change before launch. KRAFTON India says it will post updates on the official BGMI Air Instagram page and its other channels.

Download Size and Your BGMI Account

The initial download is around 1GB. KRAFTON India says the smaller size still keeps the core BGMI gameplay intact.

You wonโ€™t need to move your existing BGMI account. The statement says players can access BGMI Air separately without any account transfer.

What Happens After Pre-Registration

The Open Beta is next. KRAFTON India says it will be โ€œintroduced shortlyโ€ to gather player feedback before the full release, and pre-registered players are the obvious first audience, although KRAFTON hasnโ€™t said how beta access will work.

The full launch is set for โ€œlater this yearโ€. Earlier reports pointed to a November 2026 release window, but KRAFTON India hasnโ€™t confirmed a date.

For beta updates as they land, keep an eye on our BGMI Air beta download tracker.

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