India’s GodLike Esports secures third place at the COD Mobile China Masters 2025 Season 9, overcoming fierce international competition and visa setbacks to mark a milestone for Indian esports.
In a breakthrough moment for Indian esports, GodLike Esports secured a remarkable third-place finish at the prestigious Call of Duty Mobile (CODM) China Masters 2025 Season 9. Competing against elite teams from China, Japan, and India, GodLike showcased resilience, tactical brilliance, and tenacity across the tournament held from March 20 to May 24, 2025.
The event, hosted in Shanghai, featured 11 top-tier teams battling for a $261,290 prize pool. GodLike’s achievement was especially significant given the absence of their captain, Jash “Learn” Shah, who was unable to travel due to visa complications. Despite this major setback, the team pushed forward and delivered one of the most memorable campaigns of the season.
GodLike began their China Masters journey with a shaky start in the initial rounds but found their rhythm in time to qualify for the offline Playoffs. They kicked off their playoff run with a dominant 4-1 victory over Stand Point Gaming, advancing to the Upper Bracket Finals, a major achievement for an Indian squad on Chinese soil.
Their next challenge was the formidable Wolves, one of China’s strongest squads and the 2023 CODM World Champions. The match proved tough, with Wolves sweeping GodLike 4-0 and sending them into the Lower Bracket Finals. There, they were matched against Qing Jiu Club, a team that had narrowly defeated them 3-2 in the Upper Bracket Semifinals.
Although GodLike fought valiantly, Qing Jiu once again emerged victorious with a 4-1 win, ending GodLike’s run in third place. The Indian team walked away with a well-earned prize of ¥225,000 (approximately $31,000), marking one of the highest finishes for an Indian team in a major international CODM event.
Despite falling short of the Grand Finals, which will feature Wolves vs Qing Jiu Club on May 24, GodLike’s performance turned heads across the global esports community. The team’s ability to reach the podium without their in-game leader speaks volumes about their coordination, preparation, and mental strength.
Learn, though absent, praised his team in a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter): “We are third in CDM S9. I’m proud of my team’s mental strength. Thank you for believing in us. We’ll be back with a bang.”
Another Indian team, S8UL, also participated in the tournament but finished 10th. Nevertheless, their presence, along with GodLike’s success, signals the rise of Indian teams in the global CODM esports scene.
GodLike’s third-place finish at the China Masters 2025 stands as a testament to India’s growing competitiveness in international esports. With the team continuing to evolve and gain experience on the world stage, the future looks bright for Indian Call of Duty Mobile enthusiasts.
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