Natus Vincere bring in Misha to sub for captain Sonneiko

gabhernandez Published 12/04/2019

Natus Vincere captain Akbar “SoNNeikO” Butae will be benched temporarily.

For the team’s upcoming tournaments, Na ‘Vi tapped Mikhail “Misha” Agatov to stand in for the side. Misha will be playing for Na ‘Vi in two tournaments outside of the Dota Pro Circuit: ESL One Mumbai and the GG.BET Birmingham Invitational.

The reason behind this decision was revealed to be an ongoing health issue a recent press release.

“During the next three weeks, the team will play with a stand-in, as Akbar needs this time to solve the health issues. Note that this decision was made before the qualifiers, and is not connected with anything other than health,” said Na ‘Vi manager Igor “caff” Sydorenko.

Natus Vincere lost to Gambit Esports in the OGA Dota PIT Minor CIS Qualifier. Gambit advanced to the minor tournament where they will aim to take the last spot at the next Dota 2 major.

Na‘Vi started its Dota Pro Circuit run slowly. After a few roster shakeups, the team began to show promise even as it was now considered to be an underdog team.

With Virtus.pro dominating the CIS region, the second spot in the list of CIS teams is still a point of contention between several promising CIS sides. Virtus.pro tops not just the CIS region but also the current overall DPC rankings.

DPC minor tournaments have provided the biggest limelight for other CIS teams thus far. Na ‘Vi fought for another such opportunity but the results were lacking. The team has been more aggressive in recognizing its flaws and trying more actively to solve such problems through practice, preparation, and roster changes.

Gambit Esports has been a constant threat to Na‘Vi in DPC play and qualification. Currently, Gambit ranks 15th in the DPC rankings while Na‘Vi is ranked 16th. 12 teams will be directly invited to The International 2019 in Shanghai.

SoNNeikO will rejoin Na ‘Vi after ESL One Mumbai. As he is the team’s captain, this break could make a huge difference in the team’s direction and future results.

Read Also

Esports Betting

Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule Hannan Mundia The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has finally arrived, and here’s the complete schedule for the event to ensure you don’t miss anything. While it isn’t exactly the newest name in the esports scene, the EWC has quickly become a leading event for esports fans worldwide. It brings together professional players and fans from various games, combining them into one long event that everyone can enjoy. 2026’s Esports World Cup ...

Dota 2

Dota 2 at the EWC 2026 preview, details, predictions, and more Michael Hassall A titanic 24 teams are set to compete in Dota 2 at the Esports World Cup 2025 in one of the largest events of the competitive season. These two dozen organizations are set to take over the Paris Convention Center, filling it with top-tier competitive Dota 2 action. With a $2,000,000 USD prize pool, the largest on the Dota 2 calendar, there’s everything to play for in the final major ...

Dota 2

Top Dota 2 combos to boost your MMR fast Wasif Ahmed Dota 2 is a complex and interesting game that requires skill, strategy and teamwork to be successful. Having said that, one of the best ways to improve your MMR is by learning certain Dota 2 combos that have proven themselves over time. It’s worth knowing that there are not that many Dota 2 combos that have survived the test of time because every new patch changes the game’s meta. Nevertheless, ...

Dota 2

Dota 2 temporarily deletes popular hero before launching huge Dark Carnival update Michael Hassall If you were an Axe player in Dota 2 earlier this week, you’d have found yourself out of luck when you tried to pick the stalwart Oglodi warrior, as the hero was straight up removed from the game on June 23. The hero was completely missing from All-Pick and his hero model was replaced with a missing poster. Axe couldn’t even be demoed or picked in a custom game for ...

Dota 2

Team Yandex stop the magic, defeating LGD in BLAST Slam VII finals Michael Hassall Team Yandex have defeated LGD Gaming in the grand finals of BLAST Slam VII in a dramatic 3-1 series that saw both teams pushed to the limit, but ultimately Yandex come out on top. Concluding the last major tournament before teams head to the Esports World Cup and The International 2026 next month and in August, Yandex were able to counter the momentum of LGD that had brought them into ...

Dota 2

BLAST Slam VII Finals Predictions and Picks – Can LGD make it all the way? Michael Hassall LGD Gaming in the top three of a tournament!? What is this 2021? BLAST Slam VII has been one of the most surprising tournaments of the year, and has capped off the pre-EWC and TI season with some of the most thrilling gameplay we’ve seen in months. And the finals are set to be even more exciting. With just three teams left there’s a lot on the line, from the ...

Dota 2

Easiest Dota 2 Heroes for Beginners – Best Picks to Learn the Game Simon Day We can all agree that Dota 2 is a complex game, but starting with the right heroes can make the learning process much smoother. Choosing one of the best Dota 2 heroes for beginners is key to building your skills and enjoying your matches. That’s why it’s time to explore the heroes that are easy to understand, effective in the game and great for learning the fundamentals. Without going into ...