CS2: Sniper r1nkle was benched by NIP, with the coach believing the opponent lacked experience.

With the S-level tournament underway, the higher-ups are showing no mercy. Recently, negative news has been circulating in the CS2 community, with roster changes and players being demoted. Even those who have had their peak, or are even rising stars who were once recommended by veterans, are dismissed if they perform slightly poorly. In such a tense atmosphere, teams do not allow for a buffer period and dismiss players directly, resulting in immense pressure before each competition.

Ninjas in Pajamas is also making a comeback, especially after narrowly missing out on IEM Cologne 2026. Unexpectedly, the player in dire need of help is the renowned r1nkle. He joined the team in 2024, a highly skilled and aggressive sniper, a once-in-a-century talent. Everyone had high hopes for him, believing he had a bright future. However, his performance declined over time, and by 2026, his average rating had dropped by 1.08, leading to his benching.

I thought 2025 would be a golden age for my career, a time of great success. With a solid foundation, I was poised to reach even greater heights. However, I made a series of mistakes against strong teams, suffering a disastrous run in the Blast Rotterdam Open and ranked matches. IEM Cologne became an unattainable tournament. Failing to qualify for a Major, the coach attributed it to a lack of experience, poor clutch play, and complacency when ahead. This string of defeats perfectly encapsulated the season. Finally, I added that r1nkle is a dedicated and excellent teammate, but as a team, we must constantly explore new directions.

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