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Team Spirit have announced a major roster change ahead of the new Dota 2 season. Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov, one of the most decorated captains in modern Dota, has decided to take a break from competitive play, stepping back from the active roster. Filling his shoes will be Nikita “Panto” Balaganin, who joins the team from Aurora Gaming.

Miposhka Takes a Break from Competition

After five years leading Team Spirit, Miposhka will be taking some well-deserved time off. The organisation confirmed that the two-time The International (TI) champion has been moved to the inactive roster, citing his decision to “pause his career” for now.

While Team Spirit did not specify the exact reasons behind his break, fans have noted that Miposhka had been one of the few players on the roster who hadn’t taken time off in recent years. His teammates Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk and Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov both had their own short breaks following intense competitive seasons.

Miposhka has been the face of Team Spirit since its rise to glory in 2021. Under his leadership, the team achieved legendary success, winning TI twice (2021 and 2023), alongside multiple Majors and the 2025 Esports World Cup title. His calm leadership and consistent performance have been key to Spirit’s dominance over the past four years.

Panto Steps In as New Hard Support

Replacing a figure as iconic as Miposhka won’t be easy, but Team Spirit have placed their trust in 26-year-old Nikita “Panto” Balaganin, known by many fans as “Pantomem.”

Panto joins from Aurora Gaming, where he made a name for himself in 2025 after solid showings at top-tier tournaments such as DreamLeague Season 26 and the Esports World Cup. His rise through the ranks has been rapid, just earlier this year, he helped Aurora secure several strong placements alongside ex-Team Spirit members Miroslaw “Mira” Kolpakov and Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek.

Before Aurora, Panto played for teams like Chimaera Esports and L1GA TEAM, building a reputation for dependable support play and strong communication. Now, with Spirit, he’ll be tested on the biggest stage yet.

Team Spirit’s Continued Dota 2 Legacy

Even with a quieter showing at The International 2025, where they exited earlier than expected, Team Spirit remain one of the most successful Dota 2 organisations in recent memory. The squad captured multiple major titles this year, including DreamLeague Season 25 and the Esports World Cup, while also finishing second at ESL One Raleigh and FISSURE Universe: Episode 6.

The current Team Spirit roster is as follows:

  • Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk
  • Denis “Larl” Sigitov
  • Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov
  • Aleksandr “rue” Filin
  • Nikita “Panto” Balaganin
  • Airat “Silent” Gaziev (Coach)
  • sikle (Analyst)

What’s Next for Team Spirit

Fans won’t have to wait long to see how the new lineup performs. Team Spirit are set to debut Panto at BLAST Slam IV, kicking off on October 14, with matches streamed live on BLAST’s official Dota 2 YouTube and Twitch channels.

Despite Miposhka’s temporary departure, optimism remains high within the Spirit camp. With Panto stepping in, the team will look to maintain its world-class form and continue building on its legacy as one of Dota 2’s greatest modern dynasties.