Latest news with #V5
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Five Iconic Valorant Moments That Transformed India's Esports Ecosystem
Last Updated: Valorant seems to have cemented its place in India's esports scene News18 In June 2020, when Valorant launched, few could've predicted how deeply the game would resonate in India. But over five years, the community has built something extraordinary — from late-night 5-stack scrims in cyber cafés to sold-out LANs, bootcamps in bustling metros, and national icons emerging with every clutch. India isn't just playing Valorant anymore — it's shaping how the world sees the game. With a thriving player base and tier-one teams competing globally, the scene has evolved into a thriving ecosystem of rivalries, content creators, collegiate leagues, and breakout stars. The V5 anniversary is a tribute to the people who turned frags into friendships and dream clutches into careers. As we celebrate V5, let's honor the most unforgettable Indian Valorant moments that brought us here. The rivalry between VLT and GE (2020–21) When Valorant hit India during lockdown, the first story it told wasn't about patches or agents — it was about two homegrown titans: Velocity Gaming and Global Esports. In the early tournament scene, VLT and GE met over 15 times in less than a year Peak Viewership: Their match during the VCC 2021 Grand Finals attracted a peak of 55,719 viewers, underscoring the rivalry's significance 'You picked a side like you picked your team in the premiership. GE or VLT — there was no in-between." This rivalry laid the foundation for a thriving competitive scene, sparked fanbases, built storylines, and turned Discord lobbies into arenas, inspiring countless players and fans across the country. Before the brands and billboards, there was just one name flooding chat: SKRossi. Ganesh 'SKRossi" Gangadhar became India's poster boy for Valorant excellence. A Jett main known for his aggressive play and clutch consistency, SKRossi helped put India on the international radar. What made this even more iconic? He became the first professional Valorant player worldwide to cross 1,000 first bloods in major competitions ahead of global stars like TenZ, Derke, and Asuna. SKRossi's rise was a turning point. For aspiring players grinding from Tier-2 cities or cyber cafés with 60 Hz monitors, he was living proof that you didn't need a Seoul bootcamp or LA setup to make it big. All you needed was grit, aim, and belief. When Global Esports was selected as South Asia's representative in the VCT Pacific League, the game officially outgrew scrims and streams. This was Riot Games saying: India belongs on the world stage. The announcement post hit over 1.2M impressions across platforms and trended on Twitter with #GEFighting and #IndiaInVCT. While the roster became international, the Indian flag still flew at every match, watched live by thousands of fans at odd hours, cafe watch parties, and college dorms. Orangutan's Women's Roster Takes Over (2022–23) When Orangutan announced their all-women Valorant roster, it wasn't a token effort — it was a power move. Their dominance in the FSL and local tournaments saw them clock multiple title wins, a 75% match win rate, and gave rise to new role models in the FPS space. In March 2023, Orangutan X made history by securing a runner-up finish at the VCT 2023: Game Changers APAC Open 1, showcasing India's rising presence in women's Valorant. After battling through a competitive bracket, they faced off against Team SMG in the Grand Final, ultimately finishing second and earning $2,500 in prize money along with 80 circuit points. For a scene still finding its footing on inclusion, they became proof that talent has no gender, only game sense. When Riot officially took over publishing in South Asia with the Valorant Challengers League, things changed fast. Riot and Nodwin Gaming's launch of Valorant Challengers South Asia in 2023 gave aspiring teams a path to international visibility and reignited grassroots interest across India, Pakistan, and beyond. The 2025 chapter of the VCSA boasts a prize pool of ₹1.13 cr and has collected over 4 million+ views over the course of the Split 2 finals. As we celebrate #V5India, these moments remind us of how far we've come and how much more is left to play. Here's to every clutch, every throw, and every round that made Indian Valorant what it is today. About the Author Sports Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : esports Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 05, 2025, 13:57 IST
News18
3 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Planning Sikkim Trip This Monsoon? Tourist Passes Suspended, What Travellers Must Know
Last Updated: Floods and landslides in Sikkim have stranded over 100 tourists in Lachen. Tourist passes are suspended. An NDRF helicopter has been deployed. PM Modi assured support. As flood situation remains grim in Sikkim, the administration has suspended tourists passes temporarily on Tuesday. Further, Lachen and Lachung have been cut off from the rest of the regions due to multiple landslides in North Sikkim, a notification released by the Sikkim tourism department read. As North Sikkim grapples with heavy rains, flood and landslides, over a hundred tourists were stranded in Lachen on Tuesday morning. Roads leading to Lachen were closed after a landslide struck the Chhorten army camp in the town. This comes as pre-monsoon rains wreak havoc across North Sikkim. To tackle the disaster, a V5 helicopter, carrying a team of 23 specially trained NDRF personnel, from Delhi landed at Sikkim's Pakyong Airport today. These experts, equipped with satellite phones and essential gear, will work in coordination with the local administration to manage the crisis. Meanwhile, authorities were considering alternative ways to rescue the stranded tourists. The special team will assess all possible options. Sikkim is facing a flood situation due to extreme rise in water level in Teesta river due to a cloudburst incident in northern part of the state. On the intervening night of May 30-31, the river water level rose by 30-40 feet. The ongoing crisis has still kept North Sikkim out of communication. First Published: June 03, 2025, 19:59 IST
