New Delhi: Team Orangutan etched their name in Indian esports history by winning the inaugural iQOO Battlegrounds Series, securing a commanding 61-point lead over the competition. The three-day LAN finale, held from August 8 to 10 at the Noida Indoor Stadium, featured high-intensity Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) action and a massive ₹1 crore prize pool, drawing thousands of on-ground spectators.
Organised by NODWIN Gaming and powered by high-performance smartphone brand iQOO, the tournament marked Orangutan’s first-ever BGMI championship win. The team finished with 217 points across 18 LAN matches, taking home ₹55 lakh from the prize pool.
Meta Ninza secured second place with 156 points, earning ₹25 lakh, while K9 Esports claimed third with 121 points and a ₹10 lakh prize. Orangutan’s Ankit “AKop” Shukla delivered a standout performance, claiming the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title with 62 finishes in the finals.
“This trophy represents years of resilience and hard work,” said Arman “Aaru”, the in-game leader (IGL) of Orangutan. “Four years ago, it was just a dream. Today, it’s in our hands. Every setback, every close call, every tough day only made us stronger. We never gave up, and that made all the difference.”
Road to the Finals
The tournament kicked off on July 21 with 32 participating teams — 30 invited squads and two qualifiers from the iQOO Community Cup. The top eight from the group stage advanced directly to the Grand Finals, while the remaining 24 fought through the Semi Finals for the final eight LAN spots.
The championship’s live atmosphere was amplified by meet-and-greet sessions with some of India’s most popular gaming creators, including Naman “Mortal” Mathur, Raj “Snax” Varma, Gulrez “JokerKiHaveli” Khan, Payal “PayalGaming” Dhare, Kaashvi “KaashPlays” Hiranandani, and Tanmay “ScoutOP” Singh from S8UL and Revenant XSpark.
Industry Leaders Hail Milestone
Nipun Marya, CEO of iQOO, lauded the victory and the series’ role in promoting Indian esports:
“The iQOO Battlegrounds Series is our flagship gaming IP, bringing India’s best teams to the grand stage. My heartfelt congratulations to iQOO Orangutan for their exceptional win, and to Meta Ninza and K9 Esports for their spirited performance. We’re proud to provide a platform that celebrates skill, passion, and ambition, driving India’s esports ecosystem to new heights.”
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, added:
“The iQOO Battlegrounds Series is a perfect example of performance-driven innovation meeting grassroots talent and world-class tournament execution. Congratulations to Orangutan on a well-deserved victory, and kudos to all teams for showcasing the competitive spirit that defines India’s esports scene.”
Shaping the Future of Indian Esports
Since its inception in 2020, iQOO has invested in developing competitive gaming infrastructure in India. The success of this inaugural edition cements the iQOO Battlegrounds Series as a permanent fixture in the national esports calendar, offering professional-grade competition and exposure to emerging talent.
With its mix of seasoned pros, rising stars, and enthusiastic fan engagement, the tournament has set a new benchmark for BGMI esports in the country — and promises even greater stakes in future seasons.
