Past Champions of National Poker Series India 2025: Who’s Yet to Make Their Mark?
For five years running, the National Poker Series India has been the ultimate battleground for the country’s finest Poker talent. The 2025 edition is no different, drawing intense competition as players vie for medals and the prestigious title of the first-ever National Poker Champion.

However, with the tournament well into its second stage, an interesting trend has emerged – 20 of the top past performers, each with over three medals to their name, are yet to secure a podium finish this year.

Are they flying under the radar, or are they actively grinding but missing that final push? Where do they currently stand on the National Poker Series 2025 India Leaderboard? Let’s take a deep dive into the journeys of six past medallists and find out what’s keeping them from striking gold this year.

Shivam Kumar Dubey – ‘daddyaddy’ Off His Hot Streak
Representing Uttar Pradesh, Shivam Kumar Dubey is no stranger to success, having bagged nine medals in the 2023 and 2024 editions. However, despite 31 players from his home state already securing medals this year, Shivam has yet to break into the winner’s circle in 2025.

He’s been active, playing 115 tournaments and cashing in 37 of them – a respectable performance but not quite at his usual level. Here are some of his top finishes so far:

  • 42nd in NPS#40 Friday Freestyle (48K) – Feb 28
  • 143rd in NPS#82 Mega Rush (31.5K) – Mar 6
  • 51st in NPS#48 Megadive (20.2K) – Mar 1
  • 34th in NPS#68 Marathon (20K) – Mar 4
  • 4th in NPS#113 Marathon (1.58 LAC) – Mar 11

A mathematics whiz turned Poker pro, Shivam dreams of being “the most featured player in the planet.” Will he hit the reset button and find his winning rhythm before the series concludes? Time will tell!

Chirag Sodha – ‘miyagi’ Consistent, But Missing That Knockout
Karnataka has been a powerhouse in National Poker Series 2025, ranking #5 on the medal tally with 29 medals from 19 players. Yet, one of its most decorated contenders, Chirag Sodha ‘miyagi,’ has yet to claim his spot on the podium.

Despite his absence from the medal count, Sodha remains a dominant force. Currently ranked #10 on the Series Leaderboard with 19.52K points, he has cashed in 99 of 115 tournaments, accumulating an impressive 14.59 LAC in winnings. With 8 previous medals (3 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze) under his belt, it’s only a matter of time before ‘miyagi’ makes his move!

Rohit Begwani – ‘ChubbyGhost’ Waiting for a Big Comeback
Another Karnataka contender, Rohit Begwani ‘ChubbyGhost,’ has been a consistent performer in National Poker Series India, with 7 medals to his name. Known for his cash game expertise, he famously secured 4 Golds in National Poker Series India 2022, finishing second on the podium leaderboard!

This year, however, he has played only 30 tournaments, cashing in 18 of them – a 60% cashout ratio. His top finishes include:

  • 7th in NPS#61 (7-Max) SPRINT (86.8K) – Mar 3
  • 25th in NPS#26 (7-Max) Championship (81.5K) – Feb 26
  • 23rd in NPS#5 Inaugural (68K) – Feb 23
  • 14th in NPS#32 (PLO-5) Megadive (41.9K) – Feb 27

Deep runs, near misses—but no medal yet. Will Rohit reclaim his golden form?

Dhaval Doshi – ‘Faizal1506’ Gunning for the Gold
As many as 47 players from Maharashtra have picked a medal this year, bringing the state medal tally to a towering 69 medals.

Who’s missing? Dhaval Doshi.

Dhaval – a Poker Bootcamp India trainee, has been a force in mid-stakes Poker

He previously bagged a Gold and 2 Silvers in 2022 and expanded his collection to 7 medals by 2024.

This year, however, he has played 67 tournaments, cashing in 32 and earning 5.95 LAC. His closest calls include:

  • 5th in NPS#59 (5-Max) Max SPRINT (1.13 LAC) – Mar 3
  • 12th in NPS#48 Megadive (61.8K) – Mar 1
  • 81st in NPS#82 Mega Rush (60K) – Mar 6
  • 12th in NPS#18 Marathon (44K) – Feb 25

A podium finish is within reach – can Dhaval make it happen?

Deepak Singh – ‘3streakbluff’ Hits Final Table but Misses Medal
Rajasthan’s Deepak Singh, an IITian-turned-Poker-pro, has made waves in past editions with 6 medals (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze). While he secured a strong 6th place finish in NPS#102 Big Knockout (2.48 LAC), he has yet to clinch a medal in 2025.

His cashout ratio remains strong at 60%, with 68 cashes from 113 tournaments, earning 9.3 LAC so far. With 11 days left, can he turn his near misses into a win?

Samay Singh Modi – ‘samaysinghmodi’ Yet to Deliver
A man of many talents – actor, filmmaker and Poker player, Maharashtra’s Samay Singh Modi has collected 5 Golds and 1 Silver in 2023 and 2024.

However, Samay hasn’t exactly been up to form in 2025. While he has played just 61 tournaments, he cashed 29 of them, earning just over 4.24 LAC.

His top finishes include:

  • 54th in NPS#102 Big Knockout (43K) – Mar 9
  • 29th in NPS#31 Kickoff (41.8K) – Feb 23
  • 19th in NPS#28 (7-Max) SPRINT (38.6K) – Feb 26

Will he make a comeback before the series ends?

Also Chasing the Medal Are…

Thiyam Dannish ‘thiyam’ (Manipur)
Six-time National Poker Series India Medallist – Featured prominently in The Circuit, Thiyam has pulled in 10.46 LAC in winnings in the 2025 edition, played 107 tournaments, cashed 52 and featured on 2 final tables.

His best finish:

  • 5th in NPS#37 Knockout (1.66 LAC) on Feb 28
  • 6th inNPS393 NPS Freezeout (1.10 LAC) on March 8.

Gautam Rohilla ‘m8a7’ (Haryana)
Six-time National Poker Series India Medallist – Has cashed 52 of 91 events played, earning over 9.76 LAC.

  • 4th in NPS#92 Relay (1.81 LAC) on March 8

Abdul Aziz Ansari ‘ManiakGod’ (Uttar Pradesh)
The six-time medallist has played very selectively this year, cashing in only 11 out of 33 tournaments with total winnings of 1.06 LAC. Time to show up and win some medals for your state, Abdul!

Akshay Joshi ‘akdolos’ (Maharashtra)
Despite playing 88 tournaments and cashing out 33 times, the 6-medal winner has managed to rake in only 5.87 LAC.

Akshay got close to victory on March 11 – he made it to the final table in the NPS3#110 Slamdunk but fell out in 5th (77K) – still no medal finish.

Gurpal Singh ‘roothless (Haryana)
Six-time medallist Gurpal has cashed in 24 of the 77 events he played, racking up 4.41 LAC in winnings.

He’s made it to two final tables so far:

  • 8th in NPS#60 Monday Medley (1.19 LAC) on March 3
  • 7th in NPS#78 Megadive (45K) on March 6

Anirban D Das ‘pottysingh’ (Haryana)
Five-time NPS India medallist Anirban has been selective in National Poker Series India 2025, playing just 13 tournaments. Yet, he’s cashed in on 6 of them. No medals, no final tables – time to step it up, Anirban!

Arjanveer Singh Chadha ‘holdbaby’ (Chandigarh)
With five medals in his collection, Arjanveer is pushing hard for gold. He’s cashed in 66 out of 115 events (57% ITM), and he’s made three final tables:

  • 4th in NPS#99 (5-Max) Hyper SPRINT (1.47 LAC) – March 9
  • 5th in NPS#30 Slamdunk (83.4K) – Feb 27
  • 6th in NPS#86 Run-up (60.7K) – March 7

The question is – can he go all the way this time?

Mayank Mayuka ‘newsolidcash’ (Rajasthan)
A four-time medallist, Mayank is keeping up his solid run with a 60% cashout rate (69/115 ITM finishes). While he’s reached two final tables, the gold still eludes him:

  • 6th in NPS#88 Slamdunk (1.32 LAC) – March 7
  • 7th in NPS#334 (5-Max) Big Hyper – Feb 27

Shubham Agarwal ‘backchod’ (Rajasthan)
Shubham is on the hunt for his fifth medal—and his numbers are inspiring! With 91 ITM finishes in 113 events (81% ITM rate), he has cashed out 18.67 LAC so far. Despite four final tables, he has narrowly missed the podium:

  • 4th in NPS#48 Megadive (2.44 LAC) – March 1
  • 8th in NPS#1 Kickoff (1.43 LAC) – Feb 23
  • 5th in NPS#76 (6-Max) SPRINT (1.41 LAC) – March 5
  • 6th in NPS#11 Knockout (96K) – Feb 24

Currently ranked #13 on the Series Leaderboard (18.05K points), will Shubham’s skill bring him that elusive medal?

Imran ‘Kamran777’ (Maharashtra)
A four-time medallist, Imran has kept things selective in 2025, playing just 51 tournaments. However, he’s cashed in 20 of them (3.17 LAC winnings), with his best showing being:

  • 5th in NPS#53 Sunday Smash (1.56 LAC)

Yuvraj Bhardwaj ‘Treys’ (Punjab)
Another four-time medallist aiming for his fifth! Yuvraj has cashed in 62/110 events (7.10 LAC won) and came close to the podium in:

  • 5th in NPS#109 Marathon (80.1K)

Abhimanyu Mittal ‘asratManfi’ (Delhi)
Looking to improve his 4-medal resume by chasing his fifth, Abhimanyu was one spot away from it in:

  • 5th in NPS#86 Run-up (82.7K)

Vinayak Bajaj ‘salmanbhai’ (Jharkhand)
The former IITian and four-time medallist has had a 49% ITM rate (21/43 events), but no final tables or medals yet. Can he rally for himself and Team Jharkhand, which is currently struggling?

Saurabh Rohila ‘twister’ (Rajasthan)
Saurabh has been grinding hard – 53 tournaments played in 17 days, cashing in 20 for a total of 5.82 LAC. He came close in:

  • 4th in NPS#52 (PLO-6) (1.38 LAC) – March 2
  • 8th in NPS#33 Thursday Thunder (1.3 LAC) – Feb 27

With a long schedule of tournaments still ahead, will Saurabh finally clinch a medal?
Many of these past champions have been grinding hard, but the gold remains up for grabs. Who will step up and reclaim their place on the podium?

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