Forsaken is now officially unbanned
The five-year ban imposed on Nikhil "forsaken" Kumawat is officially over, as of today October 25, 2023. This means that he is now free to participate in events organized by ESIC member organizations like BLAST, and ESL.
However, his return is not anticipated with enthusiasm by most of the Indian Counter-Strike community. The damage inflicted by Forsaken on the reputation of Indian Esports has been considerable.
It's evident that forsaken's journey in Counter-Strike has not been personally fulfilling. In an interview with AFK Gaming post his ban, he openly expressed regret, going so far as to assert that if he could turn back time, he would erase the day he first ventured into Counter-Strike.
Following the ban, forsaken withdrew from the esports scene. In the interview, he also acknowledged that he understands his Counter-Strike career has reached its end. He expressed his intention to focus on personal improvement, learn from his past mistakes, and strive to be a better person to provide support for his family.
I have dragged the name of the country in the dirt, and I know it's unforgivable. There is no one else to blame but me. No one else should have to take the hate and blame for this but me. I saw the holes in the system and I took advantage of it for my own blind, selfish reasons, and I have nothing but regret. Even after I had served the ESIC ban, I could have started over, but in my stupidity and selfishness, I continued to cheat. So many people have fought for me and stood up for me, and I realize now how many people I have betrayed and how they are facing the punishment meant for me.
-forsaken, in an interview with AFK Gaming