Krazy Kratos, captained by Rising Star Rohit "KRATOS" Saxena, has been crowned champions of the inaugural KRAFTON India Rising Star Invitational 2026, the first-ever BGMI invitational tournament exclusively for players from the KRAFTON India Esports Rising Stars Programme. The team secured the title after three days of intense competition across 18 matches, amassing 193 points and three Winner Winner Chicken Dinners (WWCDs).
Final Standings and Top Performers
Justy's Jesters finished as runners-up with 166 points, while Most Wanted claimed third place with 146 points and two WWCDs. Rohit "KRATOS" Saxena was named both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Rising Star of the tournament for his consistent performances throughout the competition. The event, held from July 3 to July 5, featured 16 Rising Stars captaining their own five-member squads, competing for a total prize pool of ₹5 lakh. All matches were streamed live on the KRAFTON India Esports YouTube channel.
Tournament Progression
The tournament saw a dramatic battle for the top spot. After the opening six matches on Day 1, Jatin Hunters led the standings with 74 points. However, Krazy Kratos surged to the top at the end of Day 2 with 137 points after 12 matches. Maintaining their momentum on the final day, Krazy Kratos held off stiff competition to comfortably secure the inaugural championship.
Significance of the Rising Star Invitational
The Rising Star Invitational is the competitive centrepiece of the KRAFTON India Esports Rising Stars Programme, KRAFTON India's flagship grassroots talent development initiative. Expanded in 2026 with the introduction of Elite Rising Stars and Backup Rising Stars, the programme is designed to identify, mentor, and accelerate India's next generation of professional BGMI athletes through structured coaching, competitive exposure, and opportunities to compete on the national stage.
Quotes from Officials and Winner
Karan Pathak, Associate Director, Esports, KRAFTON India, said: "The Rising Star Invitational represents everything the Rising Stars Programme stands for, creating meaningful opportunities for emerging players to compete, lead and prove themselves on a national stage. The level of competition over the past three days has been outstanding, and it's encouraging to see so many young players rise to the occasion. Congratulations to Krazy Kratos and all the participating teams for making the inaugural edition a memorable success."
Speaking after lifting the trophy, Rohit "KRATOS" Saxena, captain of Krazy Kratos and the tournament's MVP and Best Rising Star, said: "Winning the inaugural Rising Star Invitational means a lot to our entire team. Every match was highly competitive, and lifting the trophy while also being named MVP and Best Rising Star makes it even more special. The Rising Stars Programme has given players like us an incredible platform to learn, compete and showcase our potential, and we're grateful to KRAFTON India for creating opportunities that help us grow as professional esports athletes."
Background on KRAFTON India Esports Rising Stars Programme
The inaugural edition of the Rising Star Invitational brought together players from both the 2025 and 2026 Rising Stars cohorts, each leading their own handpicked squads featuring a mix of established professionals and emerging talent. The success of the tournament further reinforces KRAFTON India's commitment to building a sustainable esports ecosystem by providing aspiring players with a clear pathway from grassroots competition to the professional stage.
About KRAFTON, Inc.
Headquartered in Korea, KRAFTON, Inc. is a global game developer and publisher dedicated to pioneering unforgettable worlds for players everywhere. Founded in 2007, KRAFTON brings together a diverse portfolio of studios including PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, Neon Giant, KRAFTON Montreal Studio, Bluehole Studio, RisingWings, 5minlab, Dreamotion, ReLU Games, Flyway Games, Tango Gameworks, inZOI Studio, JOFSOFT, Eleventh Hour Games, OmniCraft Labs, Olivetree Games, Loonshot Games, and 9B STUDIO. Each is united by a commitment to bold imagination and breakthrough game-making. KRAFTON's franchises and titles include PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, PUBG MOBILE, PUBG: BLINDSPOT, inZOI, Subnautica, MIMESIS, Hi-Fi Rush, Dinkum, TERA, My Little Puppy, and more. Guided by its vision to pioneer the path to players' dreams, KRAFTON is focused on building franchises that last and delivering experiences that resonate with players around the world.
About KRAFTON India
KRAFTON India is responsible for delivering premier mobile gaming experiences in the country, led by its flagship title BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI), which has surpassed 260 million downloads. Its diverse portfolio also includes titles such as Bullet Echo India, Road To Valor: Empires, CookieRun India, and Real Cricket, catering to a wide spectrum of Indian gamers. KRAFTON India has also played a pivotal role in shaping the country's esports landscape through marquee tournaments such as BGIS and BMPS, setting new benchmarks for development of grassroots talent, competitiveness, and fan engagement, while helping establish esports as a mainstream sporting and entertainment category in India. Beyond publishing games, KRAFTON India is committed to strengthening the digital entertainment ecosystem. Since 2021, the company has invested over $250 million in Indian startups across interactive entertainment, gaming, esports, and technology. The company also actively supports game development talent through the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), enabling emerging developers with funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance.
