Esports in India has witnessed a massive growth in the last few years.
Tournaments such as Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series Season 1 and the BGMI Masters Series offered high prize pools of $260,577 and $190,923 in 2022.
According to the State of Gaming Report 2022, the esports industry in India will reach a market cap of $140 million by 2027 with an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate or CAGR of 32%.
While the players in the esports category in India in 2021 was 150,000, it jumped to 6,00,000 in 2022. The number is expected to rise to 15,00,000 by 2027.
With the rise in cash prizes, esports has become a lucrative industry for budding Indian gamers. Here are some of the some of the highest paid esports players in India.
Highest paid esports players in India
Sc0utOP - $55,654 (INR 45,92,921)
One of the best esports gamers, Tanmay Singh, tops the list for the highest paid esports players in India. Universally recognised as Sc0utOP, Tanmay has a total earnings of $55,654 (45,92,921). Having represented TeamXSpark, Sc0utOP has won the THUG Invitational: Season 4 and PUBG Mobile Club Open - Fall Split 2020: India. He also helped his team finish second in ESL India Premiership 2020 Summer Season: Finals, PUBG Mobile Pro League - South Asia Season 1: Scrims Season 3 - Week 1 and PUBG Mobile Club Open - Spring Split: India. Sc0ut is mainly a scouter, flanker, and assaulter - three varying roles in the survival shooter game.
Goblin - $54,301 (INR 44,82,686)
Harsh “Goblin” Paudwal is one of the highest paid esports players in India. Since joining Team SouL, Goblin has become the best BGMI player in the country. He bagged his highest earnings after helping Team SouL win the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series - Season 1 in 2022. Goblin received total earnings of $22,400 after claiming the MVP award as well as five other honours. He was also part of Team SouL when they won Pro Warrior Cup S2: Conquest Round, Pro Warrior Cup Season 1, Battle of Rivals: Season 1 and game.tv Weekly Wars: Season 1. Goblin also represented India in the PUBG Mobile World Invitational 2022 where they finished 11th. Currently, Harsh has an approx. total winning amount of $54,301 (INR 44,82,686).
AkshaT - $47,565 (INR 39,25,705)
Another member of Team SouL, Akshat Goel is third on the list for the highest paid esports players in India. One of the most experienced BGMI players in the country, AkshaT has an approx total earnings of $47,565 (INR 39,25,705). Having joined Team SouL in 2021, AkshaT has helped his team win Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series - Season 1, Pro Warrior Cup S2: Conquest Round and Pro Warrior Cup Season 1. He also guided his team to a second place finish in Skyesports Mobile Open, Skyesports Grand Slam 2022 and Skyesports Champions Series. Akshat earlier played for 8bit and Chemin Esports.
Omega - $44,791 (INR 36,96,379)
Sahil Jakhar, who is recognised as Omega, is considered to be one of the highest paid esports players in India. Omega is the in-game leader (IGL) of Team SouL’s BGMI roster. He joined Team SouL in January 2022. Since then, he has been an integral part of Team SouL at various esports tournaments. Omega was part of the team that won Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series - Season 1, Pro Warrior Cup S2: Conquest Round and Pro Warrior Cup Season 1. He also represented India in the PUBG Mobile World Invitational 2022. Omega currently has total earnings of $44,791 (INR 36,96,379).
Hector - $43,494 (INR 35,90,475)
Sohail Shaikh, popularly known as Hector, also features on the list for the highest paid esports players in India. Hector is also part of Team SouL. One of the latest additions to the team, Sohail has established himself as one of the best BGMI players in India. He led Team SouL to a first place finish in Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series - Season 1, Fight Night Season 5 and Pro Warrior Cup S2: Conquest Round. Hector was also part of the team that finished 11th in the PUBG Mobile World Invitational 2022. He has an approx. total earnings of $43,494 (INR 35,90,475).
Photo credit: Alamy
