Indian PUBG Mobile Team Disqualified After Cheating Scandal

Indian esports team “We Back” faced a major setback this week after two of its players were caught using hacks during competition, leading to a full team disqualification from the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC) 2025.

The team had recently celebrated finishing second in the PUBG Mobile National Championship (PMNC) Philippines and had secured their slot in the PMGC through the Southeast Asia qualifiers. Their roster featured players KALEROG, JATTLYF, MICKEY, and INSANE, who were gearing up for one of the biggest tournaments of their careers. But the celebrations were short-lived.

According to reports, tournament officials discovered that players MICKEY and INSANE used unauthorized software during official matches. The penalty was swift and harsh: both players have been banned from all PUBG Mobile events for three years, until August 2028. As a result, the entire “We Back” squad was disqualified, effectively ending their PMGC 2025 run before it even began.

A Blow to Indian Esports

This scandal strikes a painful chord for Indian esports fans. The community is still haunted by the infamous Forsaken case, where Counter-Strike pro Nikhil “Forsaken” Kumawat was caught cheating with an aimbot during the eXTREMESLAND 2018 Finals in Shanghai. That incident severely damaged India’s reputation in global esports, with many players facing skepticism on the international stage.

Now, years later, just as India was starting to rebuild trust and showcase legitimate talent, another controversy has dragged the community back into the spotlight for the wrong reasons. As per discussions among industry insiders, such incidents not only tarnish the image of individual teams but also put the credibility of the entire scene under scrutiny.

Bright Spots Amid the Controversy

Despite the disappointment, Indian esports still has plenty to celebrate. In fact, 2025 has already been a historic year. Ved “Beelzeboy” Bamb made headlines worldwide after winning the Pokémon GO World Championships, becoming the first Indian to claim an esports world title.

Meanwhile, established organizations like S8UL Esports are representing India at the Esports World Cup (EWC), and Global Esports continues to compete in the Valorant Champions Tour franchise league, ensuring India maintains a strong presence in international competitions.

The “We Back” scandal is undoubtedly a setback, but it also highlights the importance of fair play and integrity in competitive gaming.