Tundra Esports, the reigning champions of The International 11 (TI11) in Dota 2, has made a strategic roster change as they gear up for their title defense at The International 12 (TI12). The organization has announced that Saksa, a key player on the team, will be moving to the inactive roster due to undisclosed health reasons. This decision comes after Saksa battled with health issues dating back to June, often necessitating the use of stand-in players during the competitive season.

Tundra Moves Saska to Inactive Roster for ti12

Tundra Esports' choice to move Saksa to the inactive roster raises eyebrows within the Dota 2 community, as it's a rare occurrence for a TI champion to make such a move ahead of their title defense. The team's performance during the previous season demonstrated their resilience, with an outstanding victory at TI11 where they dropped just a single game in the playoffs, securing the coveted Aegis of Champions.

Despite Saksa's absence during the season, Tundra Esports managed to maintain their competitive edge. During the Dota Pro Circuit Majors, they clinched a commendable third-place finish at the Bali Major in July. Notably, during the group stage of this tournament, the team called on their coach, Aui_2000, to step in for Saksa due to his undisclosed medical issues, showcasing their adaptability and ability to perform even without one of their star players.

The decision to move Saksa to the inactive roster doesn't necessarily imply that he won't return in the future, but it strongly suggests that he won't be part of the lineup for TI12. As Tundra Esports begins preparations for this highly anticipated tournament, they will need to find a suitable replacement for upcoming events, including DreamLeague season 21.

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Speculation has been rife within the Dota 2 community since early August, when observers noticed a shift in player roles. Nine, a prominent member of the team, appeared to be playing more in the position four role than his usual lane role. This has sparked rumors that Topson, who skipped the qualifiers this year, might be joining the squad for TI12.