Team Sirius Makes Last-Minute Roster Change Ahead of StarLadder Ukraine Minor
Team Sirius, one of the two teams to qualify for the StarLadder Ukraine Minor from China, has decided to make a roster change just days before the tournament. This move comes as they strive to secure their spot at the EPICENTER Major and compete for a prize pool of $300,000.
A Surprising Qualifier Performance
Formed in April specifically for the final leg of the Dota Pro Circuit season, Team Sirius surprised many by defeating experienced teams in the EPICENTER qualifiers to secure their spot in the Minor.
Inflame Out, InJuly In
With the upcoming StarLadder Ukraine Minor being their last opportunity to make a significant impact this season, Team Sirius has made the decision to replace player He “Inflame” Yongzheng with Yang “InJuly” Xiaodong.
A Risky Move
While the player swap itself may not be a cause for concern, teams that make roster changes so close to an event have historically struggled. A recent example is beastcoast, who dropped two players before the MDL Disneyland Paris Major and were subsequently eliminated early from the tournament.
beastcoast later made additional roster changes, removing both Jacky “EternaLEnVy” Mao and Timothy “tmt” Ong. This high turnover raises questions about the stability of the organization.
EHOME, another competitor in the StarLadder Ukraine Minor, has also faced roster issues this season, making a total of nine player swaps. As a result, they are no longer in contention for The International 2019.
A Boost in Experience
InJuly brings more experience to Team Sirius, having competed in multiple TI tournaments and played a crucial role in successful teams. This roster change might give them an edge, but they will have to prove themselves against tough competitors like EHOME, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and Winstrike Team.
The StarLadder Ukraine Minor will take place from June 12 to June 16. The top two teams will advance to the EPICENTER Major, the final Major of the season.
Team Sirius, Dota 2, roster change, StarLadder Ukraine Minor, EPICENTER Major, player swap, beastcoast, EternaLEnVy, tmt, EHOME, team stability, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Winstrike Team