HEROIC is making waves once again in the Counter-Strike 2 scene with a dramatic roster switch that has caught fans and analysts off guard. After just one month and nine days in the starting lineup, Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin has been benched by the organization. In his place, promising talent Alimzhan “Alkaren” Bitimbai from Team Spirit Academy has been brought in on loan. With major international tournaments looming, this high-stakes decision could either save HEROIC’s season or mark the beginning of a downward spiral.

The timing of the benching is as surprising as the move itself. While gr1ks only recently joined the team, HEROIC has wasted no time in pulling the plug, stating that his playing style “didn’t fully align with how the team is shaping up.” The announcement comes in the wake of mixed performances an early elimination at FISSURE Playground 1 but a respectable showing at IEM Cologne 2025, where they pushed past respected names like MIBR and Virtus.pro. Despite those victories, the synergy behind the scenes seemed off, and HEROIC has opted for a strategic pivot before the pressure intensifies.

In a statement, HEROIC accepted full responsibility for the move. “Our management made a number of moves to get the team into the right spot. Now we have to accept that not all the pieces we put together have fit as well as we hoped,” the org said, while also thanking gr1ks for his contributions both in-game and within the team culture.

Enter Alkaren a rising star from Team Spirit Academy who now finds himself on one of Europe’s most recognizable CS2 rosters. Tasked with AWP duties for the rest of the season, Alkaren’s debut is set for none other than the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, taking place from August 20 to 24. He will also be featured immediately at BLAST Bounty Season 2, where HEROIC is scheduled to go head-to-head with Complexity in a critical round-of-32 matchup on August 8.

This isn’t just another roster experiment. HEROIC is currently sitting 18th in the Valve Regional Standings, dangerously close to missing out on qualification for top-tier events. Every map, every round, and every player decision now directly impacts their chance to stay relevant on the global stage. The addition of Alkaren could be a masterstroke if he delivers results, but if he stumbles, the decision to part ways with gr1ks so early will invite intense scrutiny.

This move also adds to the narrative of HEROIC’s turbulent 2025 rebuild. In June, they welcomed back Linus “nilo” Bergman from a long bench stint to finalize their core roster. That lineup was expected to stabilize the team’s path forward, but less than two months later, yet another change proves how quickly things can shift when results are on the line.

With multiple tournaments and crucial qualifying matches ahead, the pressure is immense. HEROIC is not just fighting to climb the rankings they’re fighting to stay in the conversation as one of Europe’s most consistent teams. And for Alkaren, this is a career-defining opportunity to prove he can hang with the best.

Whether this switch leads to redemption or regret remains to be seen. But one thing is certain HEROIC is not playing safe this season.

Stay updated with every roster move, tournament upset, and CS2 power shift. Follow Gaming Moves on Instagram and Facebook for your daily dose of esports action.