Sometimes a game feels like destiny rather than software. For me, VALORANT’s meteoric rise in India has been deeply personal: late-night queues with friends from Delhi to Bengaluru, endless banter on Discord, and that heart-pounding thrill when an Indian team clinches victory on the big stage. Since its 2020 debut, VALORANT has reinvented our esports culture, turning local LAN cafés into national events. As we mark the V5 anniversary, here are five moments that didn’t just mark milestones—they defined a generation of Indian gamers (myself included).
1. VLT vs GE: The Rivalry That Ignited Fandom (2020–21)
During India’s lockdown, Velocity Gaming (VLT) and Global Esports (GE) turned casual viewers into passionate stakeholders. The VCC 2021 Grand Finals drew over 55,000 live fans, and my WhatsApp and Discord channels were flooded with “GE op” vs “VLT noob” battles. Beyond headshots and clutches, this feud crystallized our national pride and sparked the true birth of an Indian VALORANT fanbase.
2. SKRossi’s Rise: The Jett Who Inspired a Nation (2021)
Ganesh “SKRossi” Gangadhar shattered ceilings with jaw-dropping plays—remember that 1v3 Jett knife clutch? Surpassing even global stars in first-blood stats and K/D, he proved that raw talent can outgun any ping or rig. For countless players grinding ranked matches on café PCs, SKRossi became living proof that Radiant was within reach.
3. Global Esports in VCT Pacific: India Goes Global (2022)
When Riot announced GE as South Asia’s representative in VCT Pacific, the Indian flag finally unfurled on the world stage. #IndiaInVCT trended as fans hosted watch parties from Chennai to Chandigarh—pulling all-nighters just to see our colors compete against the best. It wasn’t merely symbolic; it was India announcing its arrival in the global VALORANT conversation.
4. Orangutan’s Women’s Roster: Breaking Barriers (2022–23)
Orangutan’s all-women squad stormed through competition with a 75% win rate and a runner-up finish at the VCT Game Changers APAC Open 1. They demolished stereotypes, showing that high-octane FPS skill knows no gender. For aspiring women gamers across India, their journey was more than inspirational—it was a rallying cry that VALORANT truly belongs to everyone.
5. VCSA Launch: A Structured Path to Glory (2023)
The 2023 debut of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) with NODWIN Gaming transformed grassroots passion into professional ambition. With a ₹1.13 crore prize pool and over four million viewers tuning into the Split 2 finals, VCSA opened doors far beyond Mumbai and Bengaluru—welcoming contenders from Gwalior to Guwahati and proving that every dedicated grinder deserves their shot at the spotlight.
Looking back, these five chapters are more than highlight reels—they’re the story of Indian VALORANT itself. Whether you were screaming into your mic at 2 AM in a cyber café or celebrating with teammates on voice chat, you helped build this movement. Here’s to more clutches, more aces, and the next unforgettable chapter. GGWP, India.
