Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) has opted for a significant roster shake-up following their unexpected absence from the latest Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Major tournament. Traditionally, roster adjustments tend to follow the culmination of a Major event, but NiP's failure to secure a spot has accelerated the need for change.

The management at Ninjas in Pyjamas made waves today by announcing the benching of three prominent players: Kristian “k0nfig” Wienecke, Patrick “es3tag” Hansen, and Daniil “headtr1ck” Valitov, as previously speculated. Alongside this decision, coach Daniel “djL” Narancic and analyst Thomas “haste” Dyrensborg have been released from their positions within the organization.

To fill the void left by these departures, NiP has turned to their academy talent, summoning three rising stars from the Young Ninjas roster—maxster, Silence, and BluePho3nix—to step up for the upcoming BLAST Premier Spring Showdown. Furthermore, THREAT, the general manager, will temporarily step into the head coach role to guide this transitional period. These fresh faces will join forces with seasoned player Frederik “REZ” Sterner and the recently enlisted IGL Alejandro “alex” Masanet.

In an open letter directed at their fan base, NiP's management highlighted concerns regarding consistency and AWP (sniper rifle) utilization as pivotal reasons behind the roster revamp. Additionally, they acknowledged the initial reluctance to part ways with core players essential for maintaining their RMR spot.

Erik Wendel, NiP’s director of esports, expressed bewilderment at the public's reaction to the team's setbacks, stating, “I was fascinated by the amount of people celebrating [the team] bombing out of the RMR.” This sentiment echoes similar remarks made by k0nfig, who remarked on the overwhelming negativity directed towards the team following their elimination.

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NiP's journey has been marked by struggles to replicate the success of their legendary Major-winning roster from the early 2010s. Despite notable signings like dev1ce in 2021, the team has grappled with inconsistency, underscoring the challenges of sustaining excellence in the competitive landscape of Counter-Strike.