Team Profile: Velocity Gaming

Hyderabad-based esports organization, Velocity Gaming, has recently been unveiled as the eighth and final partner team to join the Skyesports Masters. The org has acquired players from RDX, champions of the Skyesports Masters Café Qualifiers held in Kolkata. Comprising a diverse international roster, Velocity Gaming is gearing up for a thrilling competition at Skyesports Masters.

Keven "KevinR" Ross Russel, an experienced competitor since 2004, brings a wealth of knowledge and global exposure to the team. The remaining members of the roster have also showcased their prowess in various competitions, including ESL and IEM tournaments. Let's take a closer look at the individuals who form the core of Velocity Gaming:
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ㅤ Kevin "KevinR" Russell

• Role: In-Game Leader (IGL)

• Nationality: American

KevinR's journey in the realm of competitive Counter-Strike dates back to 2001 when he began playing in high school. Over the years, he has participated in prominent tournaments in both Counter-Strike 1.6 and CS: Source. Notably, he was part of the momentous upset in CS history, defeating the top-ranked team at the time in the CPL Summer 2004 LAN tournament. With extensive experience in the North American scene, KevinR has played alongside some of the best players in the world and competed internationally with various teams. His wealth of knowledge and strategic prowess as an IGL make him an invaluable asset to Velocity Gaming.

"As you get older life happens and sometimes you have to take breaks here and there, so I have also quit the game 3-4 times for a year or two just due to various reasons like work or other circumstances. It's amazing that I can still pick up a mouse and keyboard and get back into the swing of things again each time I come back after just a couple of weeks of playing. It's really only possible because of my love for the game and competing, which even I am shocked sometimes that I still have that urge for it at my age.
I think the biggest strength in the team is just the comerodery and bond between the players. Several of them have played with each other for a few years and are all pretty close friends, and that's always helpful when building a team. They welcomed me with open arms and have been exceptionally hospitable and accomodating for me since I got here."
KevinR, IGL, Velocity Gaming

In 2015, KevinR relocated to the Philippines and was playing off and on while managing an online businesses. In this phase, he formed a friendship with Logan in 2018 and played on his team for a short while.
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ㅤ Bubun "The_Guru" Panday

• Role: AWPer

• Hometown: Kolkata, India

The_Guru is an old-school Counter-Strike player with over a decade of experience in the Indian scene. He embarked on his professional journey in 2009, starting with Counter-Strike: Source and later transitioning to CS:GO. The_Guru played for notable teams such as JMD Gaming and NegativEvolution, dominating the East Indian region and consistently delivering strong performances. After a brief hiatus to focus on business ventures, The_Guru returned to professional gaming in 2023 with the reformed RDX team, featuring familiar faces from his earlier CS career. With an impressive track record and a wealth of experience, The_Guru adds firepower to the Velocity Gaming lineup. His milestones so far include securing 1st place at LXG Major Chennai 2017 and AORUSLAND CSGO Cup Bangalore 2018, as well as earning podium finishes with 3rd place at Taiwan Excellence Cup 2017, ZOWIE Extremeland India Bangalore 2018, and 2nd place at ESL India Premiership Hyderabad 2018.

"Our target is to perform at the highest level and make our Region Proud. Since joining VLT, we are bootcamping at my Gaming lounge RFD Gaming. We are practicing hard and hope to play extreme well with Top 4 Lan Qualification being the first Target."
The_Guru, Velocity Gaming

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ㅤ Tamajit "Logan" Ghosal

• Role: Entry/Lurk

• Hometown: Kolkata, India

Logan's journey with Counter-Strike began in 2016 when he discovered the game through a friend. What started as a casual interest quickly developed into a passion for competitive play. After witnessing professional players in action and dedicating countless hours to honing his skills, Logan set his sights on becoming a professional player in 2017. He participated in various local tournaments in Kolkata and formed teams such as LanDodgers and RDX. Logan has achieved commendable results along the way in the form of 2nd place finishes at 3rd and 4th editions of ESL INDIA DEW ARENA QUALIFIER. Logan's strength lies in his dedication and consistent performance, which he has further enhanced through his renewed focus on the game.

"The (Counter-Strike) scene is back and everyone is back to grinding CS again and now VLT have given us an opportunity to represent them and show our skills which we are grateful for. The biggest strength is the experience of our IGL, Kevin from USA who has helped us play more refined and in a structured way and the rest of my teammates who have been very supportive of each other."
Logan, Velocity Gaming

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ㅤ Dipayan "MaChO" Das

• Role: Support Player and Mid-round Caller

• Hometown: Kolkata, India

MaChO's journey in the world of Counter-Strike began at the age of 13, playing CS Source in a local café for fun. Over time, he became captivated by the world of competitive gaming, participating in local events and gradually improving his skills. In 2015, MaChO transitioned to CS:GO and began his professional journey with team RDX. He achieved impressive results, defeating some of the top teams in the Indian scene. With a career spanning over a decade, MaChO has amassed a wealth of experience and has proven himself as a formidable force in the game. MaChO has accomplished various feats in his CS career including 1st place at LXG Major Chennai 2017 and AORUSLAND CSGO Cup Bangalore 2018, alongside podium finishes with 3rd place at Taiwan Excellence Cup 2017, ZOWIE Extremeland India Bangalore 2018, and 2nd place at ESL India Premiership Hyderabad 2018.

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ㅤ Nairit “L0sttt” Banerjee

• Role: Entry

• Hometown: Kolkata, India

L0sttt's CSGO journey dates back to 2015 and has made a mark on the Indian CS scene, notably achieving victory as the ESL India Starter Cup winners in 2020 and securing an impressive top-four finish in the ESL India Masters of the same year. However, it is not just his individual prowess that contributes to the team's success. L0sttt's biggest strength lies in the long-standing camaraderie and synergy shared among the players, fostering a deep understanding, ready to put the team first, always.

"As all the players have played with each other since a long period of time, the bond and synergy between the players is already present and it helps everyone to be on the same page."
L0sttt, Velocity Gaming

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ㅤ Muhammad Syharul "syahhftw" Daneal Bin Arif

• Role: Rifle + AWP Hybrid

• Nationality: Malaysian

syahhftw showcases his skills as both an AWPer and rifler. Despite his relatively limited experience, syahhftw embarked on his competitive gaming journey in 2018 with the popular game PUBG. Seeking opportunities with esteemed organizations like Todak Gaming, he and his team aimed to secure top placements in semi-prominent Malaysian tournaments to earn official player status. While the coveted opportunity eluded them, syahhftw's passion for gaming persevered, transitioning to CSGO and aiming to regain his competitive edge. Joining forces with local friends, they formed a team and participated in local cyber café tournaments, but success continued to elude them. Following a series of setbacks, including disbanding the team, syahhftw remains determined in his quest to find a new team and pursue his dreams in the competitive gaming scene. He has recently participated in notable events such as the 5E Arena Asia Cup Open Qualifiers and secured a semi-finals finish in the Blast Spring Showdown Asia Qualifier, demonstrating his dedication to improving and finding success in the world of CSGO.