Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) teams and their fans had been eagerly anticipating an opportunity to represent the country on the global stage at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2024. Since the game’s return from a ten-month suspension, there was a wave of optimism about Indian teams possibly securing a spot in this prestigious annual event. However, the recent announcement that IHC Esports has claimed the final slot under a “Special Invite” has dashed those hopes.
Indian BGMI Teams to Miss Out on PMGC 2024
The anticipation for an Indian team competing in the PMGC primarily stemmed from several undefined slots in the PMGC 2024 slot distribution. This ambiguity led to widespread speculation among the Indian gaming community that one of these slots could be reserved for a BGMI team, especially given the game’s much-awaited comeback in India. Fans and players alike hoped that the resurgence of BGMI would lead to a global presence, allowing Indian teams to compete against the world’s best once again.
One of the major factors driving this belief was the conclusion of the BGMI Pro Series (BMPS) 2024, which wrapped up before the complete slot distribution for PMGC 2024 was revealed. Fans were hopeful that the winner of BMPS 2024, Team X Spark, might receive a direct entry into PMGC 2024. The timing and sequence of events seemed to align in such a way that many believed India would finally return to the international PUBG Mobile Esports circuit through the PMGC.
However, as the final slot allocation emerged, officials confirmed that IHC Esports would fill the last spot as a “Special Invite,” effectively ending any hopes for Indian representation at the event. This decision left Indian teams and fans disappointed, as it marks yet another year where no Indian team will compete in the PMGC.
The Growing Gap Between BGMI and Global PUBG Teams
The last time India had a team on the global PUBG Mobile stage was in 2022, when Team SouL represented the country at the PUBG Mobile World Invitational. Unfortunately, the long absence of Indian teams from international competition has led to a growing skill gap between Indian and global teams. Team SouL’s 11th-place finish in 2022, while respectable, underscored the challenges Indian teams have faced in keeping up with the evolving competitive landscape of PUBG Mobile.
The lack of global matchmaking in BGMI has only widened this gap, leaving Indian teams with limited exposure to global tournaments. During this period, international teams honed their skills in various global competitions, while Indian teams competed only in domestic tournaments. As a result, the once-thriving Indian PUBG Mobile esports scene has struggled to regain its momentum.
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