Why is OG still struggling with stars Topson and SumaiL?

Jun 1, 2020

Reading time: 2 min

OG arguably has the most talented Dota 2 roster in the world and stands as the reigning The International champions. So how come they’re losing so much right now?

That’s the question that fans of the team are asking these days as the squad has hit the skids over recent months. Despite competing with its full roster, thanks to Topias Miikka “Topson” Taavitsainen and Yeik “MidOne” Nai Zheng being back in action after prolonged hiatuses, the team has performed poorly across multiple events.

The most recent example was the team’s 13th-place finish in ESL One Birmingham 2020, which saw OG eliminated from the group stage with a disastrous 1-6 record. This was preceded by other weak performances in online events, most notably a ninth-place finish in the WePlay! Pushka League.

Sadly we won’t reach Playoffs in Birmingham this time.

As harsh as this can be we’d like nonetheless to thank @ESLDota2 for having us.

A special kudos too to our devoted fans who keep on cheering for us whatever our results are.#DreamOG

— OG (@OGesports) May 31, 2020

OG has posted some reasonably strong performances, placing in the top four in events such as OGA Dota PIT Online. But their overall performance just doesn’t mesh with how strong the team looked after its initial reveal.

So what’s to blame for OG’s struggles?

Is SumaiL the right carry player for OG?

Some fans are laying the blame on Syed “SumaiL” Hassan. Though he is one of the most skilled and credentialed mid laners in the world, he hasn’t made as much of an impact as a carry player. This has drawn many to say he lacks the skills of the previous OG carry, Anathan “ana” Pham.

That isn’t necessarily fair to SumaiL, as each member of the current OG roster has posted some disastrous performances of their own. This includes MidOne dealing with connectivity issues stemming from the fact he is playing in these games from abroad. Not only that, but while the team has a proud history of creative compositions, some of their recent bold picks have backfired badly.

Of course, this isn’t necessarily underperformance on the part of OG given their history. Though OG is the most accomplished Dota 2 organization in history with two The International championships and four majors to its name, the team has historically underwhelmed when it isn’t under the very brightest of spotlights. OG’s last first-place finish at an event other than The International came all the way back in 2017 at the MDL Macau minor.

OG will have the chance to bounce back soon as it takes part in the BLAST Bounty Hunt.