Happy International Women’s Day 2025! The gaming and esports industry is witnessing a record transformation. Women are not just participating. They are paving the way to the future of gaming as professional gamers, content creators, and industry leaders. Though there have been bumpy roads along the way, the growth of the female sector in esports cannot be denied. In India, and everywhere else, increasing numbers of female gamers and streamers are rewriting the narrative of what previously was a predominantly male space.
How Women Have Progressed in the Last 3-4 Years
Looking back at the past couple of years, the development of women’s participation in esports has been nothing short of phenomenal. In the past, women were facing a multitude of issues such as gender stereotyping, scarcity of sponsorship, and limited career options. But since 2020, everything changed dramatically:
- As of 2023, women comprise close to 40-45% of the total mobile gaming base in India.
- In 2018, women made up only 18 percent of total online gamers in India. Now, women make up almost half of the gaming population.
- The surge in mobile gaming, especially with superhits such as BGMI, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Mobile, has provided an accessible entry point for many women.
- Leading gaming organizations and sponsors have begun investing in female talent.
- Female-only tournaments have assisted several players to improve their skills, gain popularity, and shift into the mainstream esports industry.
- YouTube and Twitch have provided women gamers with a platform to develop and interact with fans without the limitations of traditional esports structures.
The Surge in Women’s Participation in Esports and Gaming
The Indian gaming community has seen a boom in the participation of women. And this is not only restricted to casual gaming. Women are entering into competitive esports, streaming, and more.
Gaming Content Creators and Streamers:
Payal Dhare (Payal Gaming), a 24-year-old gaming video creator from Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as a leading figure in Indian gaming. With 4.2 million subscribers on YouTube and 3.9 million on Instagram, she mesmerizes her viewers with her BGMI, Valorant, and other games’ streams. Also, she is key member of award-winning content creation group and esports organization and S8UL Esports. Payal was awarded the “Mobile Streamer of the Year” award at The Mobies in 2024. Moreover, she was also given the special chance to meet PM Narendra Modi to talk about the future of India’s gaming sector.
Kaashvi Hiranandani (Kaash Plays) is a Mumbai-based gaming content creator affiliated with S8UL Esports. Her YouTube channel, boasting over 1.6 million subscribers, features gameplay streams of BGMI, Valorant, and other popular titles. Moreover, with 1.8 million followers on Instagram, she continues to engage an ever-growing fan base.
Kanika Bisht (Kani Gaming) has established herself as a renowned gaming YouTuber known for her diverse gameplay content. She used to be a part of the popular Indian gaming organization Hydra Clan. As of writing this article, Kanika has 688k subscribers on YouTube as well as 213k followers on Instagram.
Ankkita Chauhan (Ankkita C) is one of India’s most prominent female streamers, focusing on BGMI, Valorant, and other competitive games. Her YouTube community of 430k subscribers and Instagram following of 181k reflect her growing impact.
Mahek Syed (Mizo) has established herself as a popular content creator who mainly streams and create content around BGMI with occasional testing in other games as well. Moreover, her lively live streams have earned her a fan base of 441k YouTube subscribers and 676k Instagram followers.
Shagufta Iqbal (Xyaa), a hardcore gamer in the Indian gaming world since day one, has been streaming since the very start of Indian esports. Famed for streaming plethora of PC games, she entertains her audience on YouTube. As of writing this article, she has over 446k YouTube subscribers and 170k Instagram followers.
Shakshi Shetty (Sharkshe S) has been a huge presence in content creation with her engaging and fun gaming streams and Instagram content creation. Her dedication and consistency have paid off, as she has 470k YouTube subscribers and 255k Instagram followers.
Krutika Ojha (Krutika Plays), a creator and streamer for S8UL Esports, has become a leading gamer due to her entertaining streams and content that are easy to relate to individuals. Her personality and engagement with fans are what have made her more popular. She has over 865k subscribers on YouTube and over 389k followers on Instagram.
Monika Jeph (Sherlock) has also been a factor in the changing scenario of women in esports. With more than 293k YouTube subscribers and more than 85.7k Instagram followers, Sherlock posts a wide range of gaming videos that appeal to a wide variety of audiences.
Saloni Kandalgaonkar (Mili kya Mili), a top Indian gaming content creator, has built a dedicated following through her engaging and energetic content and streams. Known for her entertaining streams and interactive style, she primarily plays popular games, captivating the audience across all platforms. Notably, she is also a part of award-winning content group and esports organization S8UL Esports. With 322k subscribers on YouTube and 209k followers on Instagram, Mili is leaving her mark in the gaming industry, proving that women can build successful communities and shape gaming culture.
Esports:
Saloni “Meow16K” Pawar is a professional Indian gamer who focuses on first-person shooter games, primarily VALORANT. Saloni has achieved several accomplishments throughout her career, including coming in first place at WD Black Cup: Season 3 – LUNA in 2022. As a content creator, Saloni engages with her fans on her YouTube channel, Meow16K, which has more than 61k followers, and on her Instagram page, with around 24.9k followers.
Neha “CaspeR” Sottany is one of the well-known Indian esports players recognized for her participation in VALORANT esports. During her professional career, CaspeR has represented teams like VLT Asteria, Asteria, and Orangutan X. Interestingly, she won the top position at the VCT 2024: Game Changers South Asia Split 2. She regularly streams Valorant on YouTube, where her channel CaspeR boasts around 40.6K subscribers. Furthermore, she is regularly active on Instagram with more than 45.8K followers.
Swayambika “Sway” Sachar is a renowned Indian VALORANT player who currently plays for Velocity Gaming. Her esports career spans notable stints with Orangutan. Sway placed an impressive 3rd-4th in the VCT 2024: Game Changers South Asia Split 2. Besides esports, she interacts with her fans through her YouTube channel, which has approximately 34.5K subscribers. Moreover, she also creates content on Instagram, where she has over 46.2K followers.
Team Top-G is India’s first-ever all-women Counter-Strike team. The team created history in 2023 by qualifying for the World Esports Championships, a milestone moment for women in Indian esports.
Top-G consisted of Swayambika Sachar (Sway), Shagufta Iqbal (xyaa), Nidhi Salekar (Stormyyy), Dilraj Kaur Matharu (COCO), Aastha Nangia (CrackShot), and Priyanka Choudhary (ALEXAA).
This list is not exhaustive. Many more Women in Esports have already made a name for themselves in gaming and esports. Many more are rising as we speak.
In India, major stakeholders in gaming are now making active efforts to support and promote Women in Esports. With initiatives such as female-focused gaming boot camps, mentorship programs, and scholarships, the next generation of women in gaming is set to achieve even greater heights.
While challenges such as harassment, lack of representation in leadership roles, and gender pay gaps remain, the momentum for women in gaming is stronger than ever. The industry is finally recognizing that diversity leads to growth. And women gamers are playing a crucial role in expanding the esports ecosystem. As we celebrate Women’s Day 2025, we acknowledge the women who are pushing boundaries, breaking records, and paving the way for a future where gaming is truly for everyone.