Asian Games 2026: S8UL Esports League Of Legends Roster Qualifies To Represent India

S8UL Esports’ League of Legends roster qualified to represent India at the Asian Games 2026. The team progressed through regional qualifiers after winning the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2026. The 20th Asian Games will run in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

The squad will compete under India’s national team banner in League of Legends. Esports will feature 11 titles at the event. It first appeared at the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration. It then became a full medal sport at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

The qualified lineup includes Akshaj Shenoy (Kat Bot), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorporal), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Ahmed Shahid (Nero), and Rahul Bisht (Bob). The team entered qualifiers after a strong NESC 2026 win. NESC 2026 served as India’s official qualification tournament.

The regional qualifiers had 14 teams and used two stages. Teams played a round-robin Group Stage first. They then moved into the Split Stage. The highest performers in the Split Stage secured places at the Asian Games main event.

Placed in Group B, the side led by in-game leader Kat Bot stayed unbeaten. India defeated Jordan, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan. That run placed India top of the group. The result moved the team into the Split Stage.

In the Split Stage, India lost matches against Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. The overall results still proved enough for qualification. With the place confirmed, India will face top Asian teams. The expected opponents include Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam.

S8UL Esports League of Legends Asian Games 2026 experience and quotes

Four players returned from India’s Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 League of Legends group. Kat Bot, Infi, Deadcorporal, and Lotus were part of that contingent. India finished fifth at that event. The same core will now take that experience into another continental competition.

Speaking on the achievement, Akshaj Shenoy aka Kat Bot, captain of India's League of Legends team, said, "Qualifying for the Asian Games is a proud moment for all of us. We knew the regional qualifiers would be extremely competitive, and every match demanded complete focus.

"For many of us, this will be our second Asian Games, which makes this qualification even more special because we understand the level of competition that awaits us. We are grateful to S8UL for believing in this roster and providing us with the support, stability, and opportunities needed to keep improving as a team. Representing India is always an honour, and we'll do everything we can to make the country proud in Aichi-Nagoya."

The roster joined S8UL last year and has played with organisational support. The team has competed in major domestic and international events since then. S8UL linked the qualification to long-term work in Indian esports. The organisation said it aimed to build stronger routes to top competitions.

"Representing India at the Asian Games is among the highest honours an athlete can achieve, and seeing our League of Legends roster earn that opportunity is incredibly special. This team has demonstrated resilience, discipline, and a willingness to continually improve, qualities that are essential for success at the international level."

"At S8UL, our goal has always been to create pathways for Indian athletes to compete on the biggest stages in the world. We have no doubt they will give their all when they step onto the stage in Aichi-Nagoya and compete for the nation with pride,"said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL.*

S8UL also had other Team India qualifiers from NESC 2026. Gurashish Singh (Soul) qualified in Tekken 8. Prateek Bhaunt (B Haunt) qualified in Street Fighter 6. S8UL is also set for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026. It qualified in Apex Legends, Chess, Fortnite, and Honor of Kings.

India’s League of Legends team will now prepare for the Asian Games 2026 schedule in Japan. The qualifiers confirmed a place after group wins and mixed Split Stage results. Several players returned from the 2023 fifth-place finish. S8UL’s other Asian Games and EWC 2026 entries added to India’s presence across multiple esports titles.