JetSynthesys concluded the finale of the inaugural season of India’s largest esports tournament, Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL) at Pune's Balewadi Stadium yesterday. The finale featured nail-biting matches among the top 4 teams – New York Apes, London Rhinos, Kolkata Hawks, and Dubai Vipers. The evening finally culminated in a tense finale where the Dubai Vipers clinched the trophy, beating table-toppers, the New York Apes. The winning team and top players walked away with an impressive prize pool of Rs. 2.51 crore.
Streamed on JioCinema and Sports18, the debut edition of GEPL also saw the launch of Real Cricket™ 24, India’s first and only world class esportable game. It is the world's most popular skill-based free-to-play (FTP) mobile cricket simulation game and boasts of 27 crore lifetime downloads. It currently has a staggering 1.2 crore – 1.5 crore game plays per month. The tournament went beyond the confines of traditional sports, seamlessly blending the thrill of video gaming with an unmatched love for cricket, captivating millions daily.
Rajan Navani, League Promoter and Founder and CEO of JetSynthesys said, “Embarking on the inaugural season of the Global E-cricket Premier League has been an exhilarating journey. It’s being filled with passion, innovation, and the sheer joy of witnessing a global community unite through the virtual realm of e-cricket. I am immensely delighted to see our vision come to life, and the success of this debut season is a testament to the incredible dedication of everyone involved.”
“Congratulations to the winning team and all the players who made it to this Grand Finale. Their skill, sportsmanship, and determination have set the standard for excellence in e-cricket. Cricket came to us from the West but today, I’m proud to say that our Made-in-India Real Cricket™ and GEPL have set the stage for India exporting cricket esports to the world,” enthused Rajan further at the awards ceremony.
Established gamers like Shreeman Legend, Dynamo, Soneeta Thapa Magar, amongst others were also a part of the grand finale to boost the morale of the players. Additionally, popular rappers EPR Iyer, Henny Papi, and others delivered energetic performances, aligning with the fervour of the crowd and players alike.
Rohit Potphode, President of Esports at JetSynthesys, “In the ever-expanding landscape of esports, players today are spoilt for choice, and the avenues to pursue their passion are limitless. GEPL has not only provided a platform for players to showcase their skills but has also contributed to the growing recognition of e-cricket as a successful and entertaining sport. I am thrilled to witness the reception the tournament has received and witnessing the fruition of our collective efforts has been truly gratifying. This inaugural season has not only marked a milestone for GEPL but has also propelled e-cricket into the global sporting spotlight. We are happy to witness the convergence of talent, strategy, and sheer determination, captivating audiences worldwide.”
Not only did GEPL break new ground in esports, but it also opened doors to employment opportunities across various sectors within the esports ecosystem, across event operations, broadcast, talents, and more. GEPL extended salaries to top players, empowering them to turn their gaming passion into flourishing careers and compete for the prestigious title of the 'e-Cricket Icon' on a global scale.
“As we conclude this thrilling chapter, I encourage players from around the world to join us in the next season. E-cricket is not just a game; it's a platform for dreams to take flight, and I look forward to witnessing even more exceptional talent shaping the future of this digital cricketing landscape. Together, let's continue to elevate the spirit of competition and camaraderie in the virtual realm of cricket,” Rajan Navani added.
Embarking on this exceptional journey, GEPL initiated registrations from June 28 to July 8, amassing over 2 lakh entries from a pool of over 1 crore e-Cricket enthusiasts, each dedicating an average of an hour a day to the sport of Real Cricket. Following this impressive prelude, qualifiers unfolded from July 14 to August 10, unleashing a fierce competition within the revered arena. Participants battled through exhilarating single-elimination matches, striving to emerge as the crème de la crème—the top 100 players. As the dust settled, these athletes progressed to the esteemed draft phase.
