India’s push into structured global esports competition has taken a significant step forward, with NODWIN Gaming announcing its coaching line-up across multiple titles for the upcoming Esports Nations Cup 2026. The tournament, set to debut in Riyadh from November 2 to 29, will see participation from over 100 nations, marking one of the most ambitious nation-based esports formats to date.

According to a NODWIN press release, the appointments follow the confirmation by the Esports Foundation of more than 700 coaches worldwide, representing national teams across territories. For India, NODWIN—serving as the designated National Team Partner—will lead the process of talent identification, team formation, and ecosystem development, laying the groundwork for international representation.

The coaching roster spans some of the biggest competitive titles in the ecosystem. Moin Ejaz (NO_Chanc3) will head India’s Dota 2 campaign, bringing with him over a decade of competitive experience, including a bronze medal finish at the Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022. Rahul (Ayogi) takes charge of Battlegrounds Mobile India, having previously guided top teams like Blind Esports and Team SouL to major titles.

In Valorant, Abhishek Bajaj (GodspeedxD) will lead as coach, backed by a strong track record with teams such as Reckoning Esports and Velocity Esports. Meanwhile, Pankaj Upadhyay (KAKA) will oversee League of Legends, where he is widely regarded as one of India’s most accomplished players on the international stage.

The line-up further includes international expertise. Steve Vitug (Dale) from the Philippines will coach Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, while Indonesia’s Gradyano Valendy (Rinnqt) joins for Honor of Kings. Other appointments include Pratik Mehra (Aurum) for PUBG: Battlegrounds, Ashrit Goyal for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, and Nirjhar Mitra for Rocket League, reflecting a diverse and experienced bench across genres.

The announcement formally kicks off India’s roster-building phase, with coaches now tasked with scouting talent, defining team strategies, and assembling competitive squads ahead of the qualification cycle. Roster submissions are expected by May 10, with player announcements beginning mid-May, while additional selections for other titles will be conducted through open qualifiers.

Nimish Raut, Global Head of Esports: Partnerships & Special Projects at NODWIN Gaming, described the move as a “crucial milestone” in India’s esports journey, highlighting the importance of experienced leadership in building competitive teams. Echoing this, Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, noted that coaches bring “identity, direction, and standards” to teams, making them central to the credibility of nation-based esports competition.

With the Esports Nations Cup introducing a structured, recurring global format, India’s early preparation signals a serious intent to compete at the highest level. The focus now shifts to player selection, as the country begins shaping squads that could define its standing on the global esports stage.