PUNE: SuperGaming, India’s leading game developer, is set to host the grand LAN Finale of the Indus International Tournament (IIT) on May 18, 2025, at Drome Arena, Pune. The finale marks the culmination of one of India’s biggest esports tournaments, celebrating the journey of grassroots talent, national contenders, and global esports teams in Indus Battle Royale, India’s homegrown Indo-futuristic battle royale title.

With a total prize pool of  ₹2.5 crore, Indus International Tournament has been designed to spotlight Indian talent on the global esports map. The finale will see 15 top teams from the Homegrown, National, Powerplay, and International phases battle it out for glory and a ₹2 crore championship prize.

Adding to the stakes, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the LAN finale will be awarded a custom Mahindra Thar, making it one of the most aspirational rewards in Indian esports.

Key Highlights So Far:

• Over 1000 teams participated across Homegrown, National, Powerplay, and International phases.
• A total of 946 Matches were played across the 4 phases of the Tournament, including the Last Chance Qualifiers.
• The Indus International Tournament has seen fierce competition across all phases. The Qualifying teams are Team Rogue, DGE, Moggers, Esports Battleground, 4Magic (Brazil), Kadiliman Esports (Philippines), Zero Gravity, Marcos Gaming, Likitha Esports, Heatbeast, Golden Hornet, 4Ever, Autobotz, and Blind Esports—rounding off a truly global and competitive lineup.

SuperGaming’s Co-founder and CEO, Roby John, said,  “The Indus International Tournament is our way of building the future of Indian esports from the ground up. It’s not just about the pros — it’s about giving grassroots talent a real platform to compete, grow, and turn their passion into a profession. We want Indus to be the starting point for the next wave of esports stars to rise — from every corner of the country to the global stage.”

The LAN Finale is expected to draw fans, creators, and esports enthusiasts from across the country for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Indian esports excellence. Alongside the championship showdown, the event will also offer immersive experiences, creator meet-and-greets, and live music performances, making it a landmark moment for India’s gaming ecosystem.

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NEW DELHI: The Esports Conclave 2025 emerged as a defining moment for Indian Esports, setting the tone for a new era of national policy, industry alignment, and global ambition. Hosted by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI), a National Sports Promotion Organization (NSPO) recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with KRAFTON India, Invest Indi, and NODWIN Gaming, the event, which concluded in New Delhi yesterday, brought together key decision-makers, innovators, and stakeholders from across the ecosystem.

The Conclave concluded with a collective commitment to prepare and submit formal Esports policy recommendations to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This marks the beginning of a focused roadmap to integrate Esports into India’s broader sports and youth development policies.

The landmark event was graced by Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, as the Chief Guest. She lauded the efforts of all stakeholders in fostering an environment that promotes Esports talent and innovation. She also highlighted the sector’s potential in enhancing digital literacy, generating employment opportunities, and underscored the government’s commitment to positioning Esports as a mainstream sports discipline.

Speaking at the event, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports said, “E-sports is a realm of Sports Governance with fast-growing industry & immense potential. The Esports Conclave 2025 organized by the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and supported by KRAFTON and Invest India aimed to discuss the potential and future of Esports and its role in global leadership. The discussions with industry leaders, policymakers, and gaming professionals highlighted key opportunities, challenges, and the future of competitive gaming in India. With the right policies and investments, India is set to become a global powerhouse in Esports!”

This comes at a time when Esports has been confirmed as a medaling sport at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and will be one in the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.  Additionally, ⁠the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games, a landmark event, both, in the world of Esports, and within the Olympic Movement, is scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027.

Representatives from across sectors including gaming firms, government institutions, Esports platforms, training bodies, and startups participated in the discussions. Centered around the overarching theme of ‘Forging the Path to Global Leadership,’ the Conclave featured three high-powered panel discussions exploring the future of Esports in India, the country’s medal ambitions on the global stage, and strategies for building a robust Esports industry.

Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, of KRAFTON India, opened the inaugural session and said, “India is at a pivotal moment in its Esports journey. With growing momentum across policy, talent, and investment, the country is well-positioned to lead the global Esports narrative. At KRAFTON, we’re proud to support this transformation by investing in talent, fostering innovation, and helping build a thriving, world-class Esports ecosystem. Supportive policies and a collaborative ecosystem will be key in propelling India to the forefront of the global Esports arena.”

“Esports is a rapidly growing sector and should be integrated into school curriculums. Establishing structured training programs and fostering grassroots development will be key to nurturing talent and paving the way for future Olympic success in Esports,” said Dr. Piyush Jain, National Secretary PEFI.

Some of the key attendees and speakers at the Conclave included:

Guests of Honor:

• Shri Bangararaju V.V.K.K. Thatavarthi Director-Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India
• Mr. Amulya Sah – Senior Vice President, Invest India
• Mr Anandeshwar Panday – General Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association
• Ms. Shreya Singhal, IAS, Additional Director of Education, Government of Delhi

Among the other esteemed guests were:

• Mr. Akshat Rathee, Managing Director & Co-Founder, NODWIN Gaming
• Mr. Animesh Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, S8UL
• Mr. Minho Yi, Vice President, Head of Esports, KRAFTON, Inc. (South Korea)
• Mr Karan Pathak, Associate Director, Esports, KRAFTON India.
• Mr. Udit Sheth, Founder & Managing Director, TransStadia & President, Yogasana Bharat
• Mr. S.N. Raghuchandran Nair, Vice President & Executive Director, Kerala Olympic Association
• Mr. Aman Garg, Chair, Commonwealth Youth for Sports Development and Peace Council
• Mr. Abhishek Aggarwal, Co-Founder & CEO, Trinity Gaming
• Mr. Siddharth Nayyar, Co-Founder, Max Level
• Ms. Kaveri Khullar, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sponsorships, Mastercard AsiaPac
• Dr. Piyush Jain, National Secretary, PEFI & Governing Body Member, SAI
• Dr. A.K Bansal, Dronacharya Awardee (Hockey), President – PEFI                             
• Sh. Aswini Sahoo, Consultant – Adventure Sports, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP         

Hon’ble MoS for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, delivering the keynote address at the Esports Conclave 2025 in New Delhi

The discussions covered critical themes including the rise of Esports in India, policy and investment opportunities, integration with traditional sports, career and revenue models, as well as strategies for international competitiveness, player development, and India’s medal ambitions on the global stage. This Conclave stands as the strongest statement yet of India’s commitment to elevating Esports to a new tier of recognition and respect. With active collaboration between government and industry and a formal policy submission on the horizon, India is setting the stage to become a global Esports leader.

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GEPL, the world’s largest e-cricket and entertainment league, is played on Real Cricket, a game that has amassed over 300 million lifetime downloads. Since its inaugural season, the league has witnessed exponential growth, with a fivefold increase in player interest, reaching 910,000 registrations compared to 200,000 in Season 1. With a staggering multiplatform reach of over 70 million and 2.4 million+ minutes of streamed content on JioCinema and Sports18, GEPL has cemented itself as a trailblazer in cricket esports.

Sara’s ownership of the Mumbai franchise reflects her strong affiliation with the region and aligns with the league’s commitment to regionalization, innovation, leadership, and passion for esports. Her inclusion in the GEPL ecosystem and a diverse line-up of entrepreneurs from New India further strengthen the league’s mission to redefine competitive gaming and elevate cricket fandom in the digital era.

Rajan Navani, CEO & Founder, of JetSynthesys, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Sara Tendulkar as the franchise owner of the Mumbai team. Sara is a true representation of the new Gen Z creator and influencer ecosystem in India, a critical driver of the future of this country. Her deep-rooted interest in sports and esports, coupled with her immense popularity, makes her an ideal partner in our mission to take esports to the masses. This collaboration will help us expand GEPL’s reach, connect with fans from all walks of life, and create new grassroots opportunities for aspiring players.”

Sara Tendulkar, expressing her excitement, said: “Cricket has been an integral part of our family. Exploring its potential in e-sports is thrilling. Owning the Mumbai franchise in GEPL is a dream come true, merging my passion for the game with my love for the city. I’m eager to collaborate with our talented team to build a beloved e-sports franchise that inspires and entertains.”

Rohit Potphode, CEO & League Commissioner, GEPL, added: “Having Sara Tendulkar join as the franchise owner of Mumbai is a watershed moment for GEPL. Her vibrant presence and strong connection with fans will undoubtedly elevate the league’s stature. With Season 2 set to be bigger and more competitive, her involvement will help drive even greater engagement in cricket sports.”

Building on its successful debut, GEPL Season 2 will introduce: expanded team formats and advanced league dynamics, enhanced competitive intensity with elite players together with cutting-edge gameplay powered by Real Cricket 24, known for its strategic depth and realism. The season will culminate in a high-stakes grand finale in May 2025, where the top teams will battle for the coveted title of ‘e-Cricket Icon’ on the global stage.

With Sara Tendulkar’s entry, GEPL is poised to break new ground, bridging sports, entertainment, and technology to shape the future of cricket esports.

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