Matribhumi Samachar English
Pune, September 2025: At 22 years old, Samihan Kulkarni, known as Sam, is an emerging esports talent from Pune competing for team Victores Sumus in the highly competitive Battlegrounds Mobile India Showdown 2025. As the team’s assaulter, Sam is determined to prove himself on India’s biggest BGMI stage playing alongside veterans Owais, Shayaan, Mafia and Ninzae.
Samihan’s journey with BGMI began in 2018 but truly took shape in 2022 after committing fully to the game. “I always liked FPS games on mobile, and my neighbor introduced me to BGMI. The game had everything I wanted, so I was hooked,” he recalls. Growing up in an environment where gaming wasn’t immediately embraced, Samihan faced limited family support early on. “They didn’t understand it at first, but once I started earning, they supported me fully—while also encouraging me to finish my education,” he said.
His hard work paid off when he was selected for Krafton’s Rising Star Program—a transformative platform providing esports athletes like Sam coaching, streaming gear, and motivation to sharpen their skills. “The Rising Star program is an incredible opportunity. I never imagined being associated with Krafton at this level, and I plan to make the most of it,” shares Sam.
Samihan is not only focused on representing his team but also aims to raise the bar for aspiring players from India’s esports ecosystem. “I want to show that with consistency and hard work, anyone can rise from zero to the top. My goal is to catch my rhythm back, lift the trophy, and prove the doubters wrong,” he says passionately.
Featured Article
