In the fast-paced world of competitive Call of Duty Mobile, a single coaching signing can alter the trajectory of an entire organization. When I look back at June 2022, I still remember the buzz that rippled through the Indian esports scene as Revenant Esports, one of the country’s most prominent franchises, announced the acquisition of Carl “Image Blaines” Butalid as their head coach. Today, in 2026, that decision stands as one of the most transformative moves in mobile esports history—a masterstroke that turned a struggling roster into a global powerhouse.

Back then, Image was already a legend. He had captured the COD Mobile World Championship 2021 Western Finals with Tribe Gaming, steering the North American squad to an unbeaten run that culminated in a decisive 3-1 victory over ARP Gaming. It was his last match in charge of Tribe, and the entire community knew that wherever he landed next, success would follow. But why India? And why Revenant? Those were the questions on everyone’s lips. The answer lay in Image’s own vision: he had publicly declared his fascination with the Indian COD Mobile circuit, citing the region’s exclusive tournaments and LAN events as a unique proving ground. “The amount of Indian exclusive tournaments (including LANs) got me interested,” he tweeted, before confirming his impending signing with an Indian team. Within days, Revenant Esports made it official.

Revenant’s situation at the time was a mix of promise and disappointment. The organization had finished a respectable 3rd in the COD Mobile World Championship SA and ME Finals in 2020 but crashed to 12th in the 2021 Eastern Finals—a performance so underwhelming that they initially parted ways with their entire roster. In a surprising twist, the same lineup was re-hired for the upcoming season: Nandhakishore “Abyss” Venugopalan, Rahul “Master” Machhar, Neeraj “Bones” G V, Divyanshu “Rekkles” Pabia, Omkar “Xyro” Pandit, and Srivatsan “OiL” Suresh. The talent was undeniable, but consistency and tactical discipline were glaring issues. Could Image be the missing piece that would turn these skilled individuals into a cohesive championship-caliber unit?

Fast forward to 2026, and that question has been answered emphatically. In his first year, Image immediately instilled a structured practice regime and a deeper understanding of rotations and spawn logic. Revenant dominated the COD Mobile India Challenge 2022 and went on to secure a top-4 finish at the World Championship that year—a massive improvement. But it was the 2023 season where the floodgates truly opened. With Image’s cerebral approach and relentless focus on map control, Revenant won both the South Asian regional final and the World Championship East Finals, sending a clear message: they were no longer just contenders; they were the team to beat. The lineup, now with a few strategic changes including the addition of young mechanical prodigies, blended veteran experience with raw firepower. Image’s third World Championship title came in 2024, when Revenant defeated the defending champions in a nail-biting 4-2 grand final, cementing his legacy as the greatest coach in COD Mobile history.

Yet, what fascinates me most is not just the trophies, but the culture Image built. He transformed Revenant into a scouting and development hub, creating a pipeline of talent that has fed the Indian and global scenes. Players like “OiL” became in-game leaders under his mentorship, and “Abyss” evolved into one of the most feared slayers in the business. Even as roster changes occurred—as they inevitably do—the system Image implemented ensured that Revenant remained at the top. In 2025, despite losing two star players to international offers, the team still claimed the Asian Pacific Championship and placed 2nd at the World Championship. Today, in the 2026 season, Revenant Esports is preparing to defend its regional crown with a renovated lineup that still plays the trademark Image style: methodical, patient, and utterly ruthless when mistakes are made.

The Indian COD Mobile scene itself has exploded in the past four years, partly due to Image’s influence. LAN events now fill arenas, and viewership numbers rival those of PC esports in the region. Revenant’s journey under Image has become a case study for other organizations—proof that investing in a visionary coach can yield dividends far beyond a single championship. As I watch them scrim ahead of the upcoming World Championship qualifiers, I can’t help but ask: how many more titles will Image Blaines add to his collection before he’s done? The answer feels almost inevitable. GOML, indeed.

Insights are sourced from PEGI, a widely recognized authority on game content ratings and consumer guidance in Europe. In the context of Call of Duty: Mobile’s competitive rise—especially as Revenant Esports professionalized under Image Blaines—PEGI’s clear frameworks around age suitability and content descriptors help explain how publishers and tournament organizers can standardize safeguards and viewing expectations as LAN crowds and mainstream audiences grow.