SumaiL kicked from OG roster as Ceb returns to action

OG put together one of the most star-studded Dota 2 rosters of all time, but it did not stick together for very long.

The organization has announced that it is removing Syed “SumaiL” Hassan from its Dota 2 roster. Taking his spot on the team on a full-time basis is former coach Sébastien “Ceb” Debs. The news was announced on OG’s official website.

OG will be competing with the following roster:

1. Yeik “MidOne” Nai Zheng
2. Topias Miikka “Topson” Taavitsainen
3. Sébastien “Ceb” Debs
4. Martin “Saksa” Sazdov
5. Johan “N0tail” Sundstein

It is uncertain what led to OG’s decision to remove SumaiL from the roster and it is similarly unclear whether he is still under contract with the organization or if he is now a free agent.

SumaiL’s time on OG roster was brief

SumaiL joined OG’s Dota 2 roster in January after several months in limbo. Benched by Evil Geniuses after The International 2019, SumaiL’s status was uncertain as he quickly landed with Quincy Crew but was then removed without much explanation. He had previously played with Evil Geniuses for over four years, winning The International 2015 and establishing himself at one point as possibly the single best mid laner in Dota 2.

He joined OG after a multiple retirements from the OG roster following TI9, along with other high-profile free agents MidOne and Saksa. The team was initially impressive, debuting by qualifying for the scrapped ESL One Los Angeles Major, but fell off after the transition to online leagues.

Though SumaiL is known for his mid lane prowess, he was put into a carry role with OG. Alongside that, he remained at home in the United States and was forced to deal with network issues while competing in European events. Those factors may have played a role in OG’s decision to split from him.

OG fans likely to be pleased with Ceb return

It’s also possible that the organization was simply willing to make the move in order to have Ceb return to its active roster. Ceb first joined OG in 2016 as a coach and spent nearly two years in that background role. 

He returned to active competition in 2018 after numerous roster issues forced OG into bringing a patchwork roster to The International 2018. The team stunned the world by crushing all comers and taking first place at that event, then doing so again in 2019 to become the first repeat champions at TI.

Ceb announced a brief retirement after TI9 and served as a staff member of the OG organization as it began expanding into other games, most notably Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. He recently began playing professionally again as a substitute.

He will be returning to the off lane role with MidOne transitioning into the carry role. Like SumaiL, MidOne is primarily known for his skills in the mid lane, but he took a new position for OG at the start of the season.

The retooled OG roster will make its debut in just two days in the OGA Dota PIT Season 2 Europe and CIS league.