Today, September 19, 2024, marks the end of Nikhil “forsaken” Kumawat's five-year ban, which was issued in 2019. The renowned OpTic India player, infamous for using the Word.exe cheat in a tournament, is now eligible to play in Valve-sponsored tournaments again, including Counter-Strike majors.
Ban details
The cheating scandal involving forsaken was one of the most devastating events in the history of Indian cybersports. His actions not only led to the disqualification of OpTic India from the ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND tournament in Shanghai, but also seriously damaged the region's reputation on the world stage. For many Indian fans, the story is still fresh in their minds, and doubts remain as to whether forsaken can regain credibility.
Plans after the ban is lifted
Despite the end of the ban, the player himself has previously admitted that his career in eSports is likely over. In an interview with AFK Gaming immediately after the lockout was issued, forsaken expressed deep regret, noting that if he could turn back time, he would never have started playing Counter-Strike. His downfall led to his complete withdrawal from the cybersport scene, and he turned his focus to personal growth and supporting his family.
Other lockouts
Meanwhile, the issue of bans in Counter-Strike remains controversial. Forsaken has been given the opportunity to return, but other players such as Braxton “swag” Pierce are still waiting for their punishments to end. Swag, who was banned for match-fixing in 2015, won't be able to return until 2025, underscoring how long the effects of cheating can affect a player's career.
SOURCE - Reddit
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