India Announces Rocket League Roster and Nihal Sarin’s Direct Qualification for Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh
NODWIN Gaming Unveils India’s Roster for Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 30, 2023 – In an exciting development for Indian esports, NODWIN Gaming has officially announced the country’s Rocket League roster and confirmed Grandmaster Nihal Sarin’s direct qualification for the Chess event at the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026. This prestigious competition is set to take place in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, 2026.
Nihal Sarin, a rising star in the chess world, has made history by becoming the only Indian player to secure a direct invitation to the ENC 2026 main event through the Champions Chess Tour (CCT) Leaderboard. His qualification highlights his exceptional performance in the CCT 2025-2026 season, where he consistently showcased his skills across various tournaments.
The Rocket League roster, featuring Abhai Ponna (Abscrazy), Karthik Raghunandan (Karvin), Aditeya Srivastav (Riyal), and substitute Jayanth Engineer (Orjanguse), will compete in regional qualifiers for a chance to join Nihal in the main event. The team is coached by Nirjhar Mitra, known as jocse, who has been instrumental in shaping India’s competitive Rocket League landscape.
The Chess tournament at ENC 2026 promises to be a thrilling affair, bringing together 128 of the world’s top players in a country-based format. With a prize pool of USD 600,000 (~INR 5.7 crore), the competition will feature a round-robin group stage followed by a single-elimination playoff bracket. Notable players joining Nihal include chess legends like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, making this event a must-watch for fans worldwide.
Reflecting on his qualification, Nihal expressed his excitement: “Playing at the Esports World Cup last year gave me first-hand experience of how rapidly chess is growing within the global esports ecosystem. Competing under the national flag against some of the world’s strongest players makes this a very special event, and I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”
Meanwhile, the Rocket League squad is eager to make their mark. Abhai Ponna, also known as Abscrazy, emphasized the significance of the ENC 2026 for Indian players: “This roster combines experienced players with younger talent that has been steadily growing through the competitive circuit. Our immediate focus is on the regional qualifiers and securing India’s place at the main event in Riyadh.”
The Rocket League competition will feature 48 national teams competing in fast-paced 3v3 matches, with a total prize pool of USD 1.32 million (~INR 12.5 crore). As the excitement builds for the ENC 2026, both the chess and Rocket League events promise to showcase the best of Indian talent on an international stage.
As the countdown to November begins, all eyes will be on Riyadh, where India aims to shine in the world of esports.