India Shines as Runners-Up at the AESF Pokemon UNITE Asia International Tournament

India's Impressive Journey in the Tournament

In a remarkable display of skill, India emerged as the runners-up at the AESF-sanctioned Pokemon UNITE Asia International Tournament held in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 21, 2026. The competition featured 11 national teams from various Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Nepal.

The tournament commenced with an online qualification round on June 14, 2026, where Team India excelled, finishing at the top of their group to advance to the Grand Finals.

Under the leadership of captain Adnan Mohammed Badshah and supported by teammates Sai Krishna Nalluri, Dipjyoti Laxman Nath, Rudra Narayan Nayak, Reuben Godfrey Fernandes, and Deepkumar Vipulbhai Patel, the team opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory against Singapore in the first round.

In the upper-bracket semifinals, India faced Japan, the eventual champions, and after a tough match, they dropped to the lower bracket. However, they bounced back by defeating Singapore again, securing their spot in the Grand Finals for a rematch against Japan.

During the Grand Finals, India showcased remarkable teamwork and strategy, pushing Japan to their limits in a challenging three-game series, ultimately finishing second.

Captain Adnan Mohammed Badshah expressed pride in the team's performance, stating, "This tournament was thrilling, and we gained invaluable experience competing against international players. We are eager to represent India at the Asian Games and appreciate the support from the Esports Federation of India. We will strive to improve and return stronger next time."

The tournament also served as essential preparation for the Indian squad members who will compete in the upcoming Asian Games, providing them with crucial international experience.

Lokesh Suji, General Secretary of the Esports Federation of India and Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation, praised the team's achievement, noting that reaching the Grand Finals against some of Asia's top esports nations is a significant milestone. He highlighted the resilience shown by the team after their loss to Japan, emphasizing the importance of such experiences in preparing athletes for high-level competitions.