Team Secret: From Shanghai Major Champions to TI6 open qualifiers

^{image source: @wykrhm}

Right after day three ended at Manila Major, Team Secret droped a bomb announcing roster changes that involves Evil Geniuses as well.

According to Secret’s co- owner, Mr Kemal Sadikoglu, ‏Saahil 'UNiVeRsE' Arora decided to “abandon” the Secret boat to return to Evil Geniuses. However, EG is yet to officially announce anything.

Team Secret posted on their official website that EG’s ex coach and now offlaner, Kanishka 'BuLba' Sosale has switched teams and will replace Universe at Team Secret which, according to Valve’s roster lock rule for the Spring period, means that even though they’ve won the Shanghai Major title, Secret will play the open qualifiers for The International 6.

Team Secret current roster:

Jacky 'EternaLEnVy' Mao
Artour 'Arteezy' Babaev
Kanishka 'BuLba' Sosale
Clement 'Puppey' Ivanov
Johan 'pieliedie' Åström

As for Evil Geniuses, things just got a bit more complicated. Without any official announcement from the NA organizations, Universe’s return is just a rumor, along with the many scenarios that are invading social media. Many are speculating about Aui_2000 getting kicked once again from the team, some are saying Zai will step in from the substitute role but only time will tell what EG will decide.

The most uncertain thing right now is EG’s TI6 direct invite. Valve’s shuffle rules say that once a team makes a change after March 27th, the respective team becomes ineligible for a regional or direct invite. BuLba leaving the team instead of making a substitute/primary role swap puts the defending champions in great danger. Even more, if Universe is indeed to return to the boys in blue then it’s clear that EG will also fight for their spot at The International 6 from open qualifiers.

Keep in mind that Valve tossing a direct invite to the defending Champions each year is just a tradition and not a rule.