Five Iconic Valorant Moments That Transformed India's Esports Ecosystem
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.
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First Published:
June 05, 2025, 13:57 IST
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