India falls to the lower bracket after loss to Mongolia in ENC 2026 Regional Qualifier

After a strong start to the Esports Nations Cup 2026 regional qualifier, Team India suffered their first loss in upper bracket round 2 game against Mongolia. It was a clean 2-0 win for Mongolia which put them in the upper bracket final while India has dropped to the lower bracket and will have their backs up against the wall moving ahead.

Team Mongolia started with opening pistol on the Indian team's pick of Ancient. After a clean conversion from the Mongolian squad, team India were on the board instantly as the guns came out with them going on to take the lead early on. It was the Mongolian squad though, ending with a four round lead at 8-4 at the break. Bhavi and his boys found a much needed pistol to kick off the second half conversions off that and the opening gun round of the second half saw India tie up the score at 8-8. The Mongolian squad though, found late momentum to steal a 13-9 win to draw first blood in the series.

Dust2 saw India start their map pick with a well-oiled CT side that saw them take a two round lead at 7-5 at the break. A flat T side cost India as Mongolia's sergelen and yami helped them put in a flawless CT half to pick up a 13-7 win to hand India a disappointing 0-2 loss.

The loss has dropped India to the lower bracket where they are set to face the Republic of Korea in the lower bracket round 2 game. It is an elimination zone for India and a loss would mean the end of the road for Bhavi and his boys.