India’s under-18 Street Fighter 6 star, Mandalapu Sreesanth, secures victory at NESC 2025 to lead the nation at the Asian Youth Games.
The NESC 2025 Street Fighter 6 Finale ended with a clear and powerful message — Mandalapu Sreesanth is the one to watch. On July 27, the young prodigy defeated fellow finalist Ansil Nalakath Abbas with a 3-0 sweep in the best-of-five series. With this win, Sreesanth claimed the main player spot to represent India at the 3rd Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Bahrain, set for October 22–31, 2025. Ansil will be joining the squad as the official substitute.
A Champion with Proven Skills: Mandalapu Sreesanth
Sreesanth’s dominance at the NESC 2025 Street Fighter 6 Finale wasn’t just about this one day. With more than four years of competitive esports experience, he is already recognised as India’s number-one under-18 Street Fighter 6 player.
His past victories — including the Versus Cup 2024 and the Khelo India Youth Games — show that this win is part of a much bigger journey.
The finale itself carried extra importance. It wasn’t just about bragging rights; it was a key step in the national selection process for the AYG, where India will face the best young talent from across Asia.
Congratulations to Mandalapu & Ansil on winning the NESC2025 - 3rd AYG. They will join Team India (esports) for Street Fighter 6 at the 3rd Asian Youth Games, Bahrain@neoIFGC @WeAreTeamIndia #asianyouthgames #esports #weareteamindia #indianesports #sf6 #streetfighter pic.twitter.com/AcgvkK7lu3
— Esports Federation of India (@esfindia) August 6, 2025
Words from the Winner
After his victory, Sreesanth spoke with pride about the road ahead. “I’m truly honoured to have secured first place in Street Fighter 6 at the NESC 2025,” he said. “This win is a reflection of the discipline, dedication, and countless hours of practice over the past months. As I prepare for the AYG, I’m focusing on studying high-level gameplay, refining fundamentals, and improving my reaction time. My goal is to make India proud and bring home a medal.”
His preparation includes training with top-ranked players, sharpening his adaptability, and gaining deeper matchup knowledge. His mindset is clear — the hard work doesn’t stop here.
A Strong Backup
Runner-up Ansil Nalakath Abbas is no less determined. “Representing my country is always a matter of pride,” Ansil said. “From the final match, I’ve identified areas for improvement and will be working tirelessly to strengthen my game. My focus is on giving my best and making India proud.”
While the NESC 2025 Street Fighter 6 Finale spotlighted Sreesanth and Ansil, the esports action isn’t over. The eFootball qualifiers are set to happen later this month, as the process continues to select India’s full lineup for the Asian Youth Games.
With Sreesanth leading the charge in Street Fighter 6, fans are already rallying behind him. The NESC 2025 Street Fighter 6 Finale has proven that India has the talent, the drive, and the determination to compete at the highest level.