NODWIN Gaming, India’s National Team Partner for the upcoming Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026, has officially announced the country’s Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) roster. The team, comprising Nakul Sharma (Nakul) as captain, Yash Choudhary (Legit), Rudra Banswani (Spower), Ankit Shukla (Akop), Abhijot Singh (Pain), and Raghuraj Singh (Slug), has received a special invitation to the main event.
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, 2026. The BGMI segment of the competition is set for November 3 to 8, featuring 32 teams vying for a prize pool of USD 1.32 million (approximately INR 12.5 crore).
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Qualification Pathway and Special Invitation
A total of 124 national rosters were submitted for the tournament. The Esports Foundation issued 12 direct invitations through its ENC Ranking system, which accumulated player points from official competitions until July 5, 2026. India, alongside three other nations, secured a special invitation to the BGMI main event. These special invitations address technical or structural limitations that might impede participation through standard qualification routes, with criteria aligned with game partner ecosystems and operational requirements.
Rahul (Ayogi) has been appointed by NODWIN Gaming (https://nodwingaming.com/) as the coach for the Indian BGMI squad, overseeing the team’s preparations.
BGMI Roster Profile: A Blend of Experience and Acclaim
The selected lineup combines national champions and consistent performers from India’s competitive BGMI circuit:
* **Nakul Sharma (Nakul)**: The 21-year-old captain is recognized for his in-game leadership, having led teams to victories at BGMI Masters Series (BGMS) 2022, BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2023, BGMS 2024, Chennai Esports Global Championship (CEGC) 2025, and most recently BGIS 2026, where he was named Best IGL.
* **Yash Choudhary (Legit)**: A teammate of Nakul’s at iQOO SouL, the 20-year-old was pivotal in their CEGC 2025 and BGIS 2026 triumphs, earning Finals MVP at the latter.
* **Rudra Banswani (Spower)**: Recently guided GodLike Esports to the BMPS 2026 title. Previously, he and Nakul won BMPS 2023 and the Skyesports Championship 5.0 with Blind Esports.
* **Ankit Shukla (Akop)**: Winner of the BGMI Showdown (BMSD) and iQOO Battlegrounds Series in 2025. He represented India at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2025 and has qualified for the PUBG Mobile World Championship (PMWC) at the Esports World Cup 2026 with Orangutan.
* **Raghuraj Singh (Slug)**: Lifted the BGMS Season 4 trophy with K9 Esports.
* **Abhijot Singh (Pain)**: Known for consistent performances with iQOO Revenant Xspark.
Commenting on the selection, team captain Nakul Sharma stated, “Representing India carries a significant responsibility. This squad brings together players from diverse teams, but we are united by a common objective. Our focus in the coming months will be on enhancing chemistry, refining communication, and ensuring we are prepared to compete against the world’s top teams. We are thankful for this opportunity and aim to perform strongly at the Esports Nations Cup.”
India’s Broader Participation at ENC 2026
With this announcement, India now has confirmed representation in four titles at ENC 2026. Grandmaster Nihal Sarin secured a direct invitation in Chess, joined by Mitrabha Guha who advanced via regional qualifiers. India’s VALORANT team qualified through the Asia regional qualifiers, and Trackmania player Kunal Upreti (Spark) also secured his spot from the Asia regional qualifier.
Upcoming qualifiers will determine India’s participation in additional titles. The PUBG: Battlegrounds team is set to compete in regional online qualifiers from July 10 to 12. India’s Rocket League team will participate in qualifiers from July 17 to 19. The country’s MOBA Legends: 5v5! squad remains in contention for a direct invitation, with regional qualifiers scheduled for August 15 to 16 if required. Stay tuned to [the latest esports industry developments on TechnoSports (https://technosports.co.in/) for more updates.
