T1's Dominant 2-0 Victory Over DRX: Gumayusi's Triumphant Return Silences Critics
T1 Makes a Statement in Season Opener Against DRX
In a highly anticipated matchup to kick off the LCK 2025 Spring Split regular season on April 4th, T1 delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over DRX, showcasing why they remain one of the most formidable teams in League of Legends. The clean sweep not only established T1's dominance early in the season but also highlighted the triumphant return of Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong to the starting roster after his controversial benching during the LCK Cup. With stellar performances across both games, T1 sent a clear message to their competitors that they are ready to defend their legacy as they pursue another championship title.
This victory comes with significant implications for both teams as they set the tone for their respective campaigns in the 2025 season. For T1, it reinforces their status as a top contender, while for DRX, it highlights areas that need improvement as they look to bounce back in their upcoming matches. Let's dive into the details of this exciting series that had fans worldwide glued to their screens.
Game 1: T1's Strategic Dominance
In the first game of the series, T1 showcased their strategic prowess with a well-executed draft that featured Doran on Gnar in the top lane, Owner on Rell in the jungle, Faker on Orianna in mid, Gumayusi on Zeri as ADC, and Keria on Alistar as support. DRX responded with Rich on K'Sante, Sponge on Maokai, Ucal on Jayce, Teddy on Xayah, and Carrier on Rakan.
The early game remained relatively even with both teams trading small advantages across the map. However, T1 began to assert control around the 18-minute mark when they secured a crucial teamfight near the dragon pit, leading to a Baron buff. This pivotal moment allowed T1 to methodically dismantle DRX's defenses.
Gumayusi's performance on Zeri was particularly impressive, finishing with a perfect KDA and demonstrating pinpoint positioning in teamfights. His ability to output consistent damage while remaining untouched showcased why he had been reinstated as the starting ADC. The game concluded in just under 29 minutes with T1 taking a convincing victory, setting the stage for the second game of the series.
Game 2: T1's Teamfight Superiority
Building on their momentum from the first game, T1 drafted a composition focused on teamfight dominance in game two. Their lineup featured similar champions with slight adjustments to counter DRX's adaptations. The draft saw Faker on a comfort pick that allowed him to control the mid lane after a somewhat difficult early phase.
DRX attempted to respond with a more aggressive approach, but T1's superior coordination in teamfights proved decisive. A key moment came at the 27-minute mark during a Baron dance when Keria landed a crucial engage on DRX's primary damage dealer, enabling T1 to secure an ace and subsequently the Baron buff.
With this advantage, T1 systematically pushed through DRX's remaining defenses and closed out the game in approximately 33 minutes. The victory was a testament to T1's exceptional teamfight execution and macro decision-making. Throughout both games, T1 demonstrated why they remain one of the most feared teams in the LCK, with each player contributing significantly to the team's success.
Key Players: Gumayusi's Triumphant Return
While T1's victory was undoubtedly a team effort, Gumayusi's performance stood out as particularly noteworthy. After being benched in favor of Sin "Smash" Geum-jae during the LCK Cup 2025, Gumayusi made a statement with his return to the starting lineup. His flawless play across both games, especially his deathless performance in game one, silenced critics and reminded fans of his world-class capabilities.
Keria also deserves special mention for his exceptional support play, particularly in the second game where his engage timing repeatedly caught DRX's carries out of position. His Alistar in the first game marked the champion's first win in the LCK this season, showcasing Keria's ability to make even less meta picks work effectively.
Faker, despite facing some pressure in the early laning phase of game two, demonstrated his legendary resilience by bouncing back to deliver impactful performances in teamfights. His damage output in the second game was particularly impressive, highlighting why he continues to be considered one of the greatest players in League of Legends history.
The ADC Competition: Gumayusi vs. Smash
One of the most intriguing subplots of T1's season has been the competition between Gumayusi and Smash for the starting ADC position. During the 2025 LCK Cup, T1 made the surprising decision to bench Gumayusi in favor of Smash, a move that generated significant controversy among fans given Gumayusi's instrumental role in T1's back-to-back World Championships in 2023 and 2024.
T1's general manager, Jeong "Becker" Hoi-yoon, had previously explained that the LCK Cup provided an opportunity to experiment with the roster since it no longer impacted qualification for Worlds. "With the season starting off in a different way and while preparing for the first match of the LCK Cup, the coaching staff made a request for change in the player lineup," Becker stated. "It seemed like the right time to try new things during the LCK Cup since the risks would be lower."
However, on March 20th, T1 announced that Gumayusi would be reinstated as the starting ADC for the 2025 LCK season. According to team representatives, this decision was requested by CEO Joe Marsh after evaluating the team's immediate goals and the long-term development of both players. The plan is for Gumayusi and Smash to compete for the starting position throughout the season, with performance, synergy, and stage results determining who gets playtime.
Fan Reactions: Relief and Excitement
The Korean community's reaction to T1's victory and Gumayusi's return has been overwhelmingly positive. On platforms like DCInside and Naver, fans expressed relief and excitement about seeing the ADC back in form. Comments like "Guma took the benching personally" and "How I've missed you, Deathless Gumayusi" dominated discussion threads, reflecting the enthusiasm for his comeback performance.
The sentiment among T1 supporters was captured by one fan who exclaimed, "T1bros we're so back," highlighting the optimism surrounding the team's prospects for the 2025 season. Many fans also praised the decision to reinstate Gumayusi, viewing it as a necessary step to maintain T1's competitive edge.
Interestingly, even neutral observers seemed impressed by T1's dominant showing, with approximately 95% of predictions favoring T1 to win the match according to esports betting platforms. This overwhelming confidence in T1's abilities speaks to their reputation and the high expectations that come with being one of the most successful organizations in League of Legends history.
Post-Match Interview: Keria's Insights
In the post-match interview, Keria, who was named Player of the Match, shared valuable insights into T1's preparation and performance. When asked about his feelings on being the first LCK support to receive the Player of the Match honor this season, Keria expressed happiness about their first regular season matchup while acknowledging that there were still mistakes to review and improve upon.
Regarding his preparation for the season, Keria mentioned that there weren't significant changes to focus on: "There's actually not that big of changes. I think we're just trying to maintain our form because we were actually quite solid in the LCK Cup." This statement suggests that despite the roster experimentation during the Cup, T1's core gameplay philosophy remained consistent.
When questioned about DRX's aggressive style, Keria admitted that their opponents' approach was threatening: "We have practiced against DRX and we played against them on stage as well, and it seems like they actually do like to play with an aggressive style. Because of how aggressive they were, that was pretty threatening to us." This acknowledgment of DRX's strengths demonstrates T1's respect for their opponents despite the 2-0 victory.
Alistar's First Win and Game 2 Pacing
One interesting point from the interview was Keria's comment about securing Alistar's first win in the LCK this season. When asked why Alistar was able to take a victory after previously struggling in the meta, Keria humbly responded: "Alistar is a really good pick right now. I think for today's case, I believe that I was just lucky. That's probably why Alistar got his first win."
Regarding the slower pace of game two, where there wasn't much action until the 20-minute mark, Keria explained that it was a result of their composition: "I think just based on our comp, there wasn't really much that we could do to force things. So I think we had the mindset that as long as we're able to play out until the late game, we will be able to win." This strategic patience highlights T1's confidence in their late-game decision-making and teamfighting abilities.
Looking Ahead: T1's Next Challenges
With this convincing victory under their belt, T1 now looks ahead to their next opponent, Gen.G, who also showed strong performance in their opening match. When asked about this upcoming challenge, Keria acknowledged Gen.G's strength: "Gen.G is a very good team. They play very well."
This matchup, scheduled for April 6th, will be a significant test for both teams as they vie for early season dominance in the LCK. For T1, it represents an opportunity to build on their momentum and establish themselves as the team to beat in the 2025 Spring Split.
The victory against DRX has set a high standard for T1's performance this season, and fans will be watching closely to see if they can maintain this level of excellence against stronger opposition. With Gumayusi back in the starting lineup and the team showing strong synergy, T1 appears well-positioned to defend their status as one of the premier organizations in competitive League of Legends.
The Significance of T1's Roster Stability
T1's decision to maintain roster stability, particularly by bringing back Gumayusi for the regular season, reflects a broader strategy that has served the organization well in recent years. Despite rumors of larger roster changes following the 2024 World Championship, most of T1's core team opted to remain together, prioritizing stability and shared goals.
This approach stands in contrast to the constant roster shuffling that often occurs in esports. T1's success suggests that there's significant value in allowing players to develop chemistry over time, even if it means occasionally weathering periods of underperformance or experimentation like during the LCK Cup.
The organization's ability to balance short-term competitive needs with long-term player development will be crucial as they navigate the 2025 season. The ongoing competition between Gumayusi and Smash provides T1 with strategic flexibility while also ensuring that both players remain motivated to perform at their best. This internal competition, managed properly, could become a strength rather than a distraction for the team.
Cultural Context: T1's Legacy and Expectations
For international fans who may not fully appreciate the cultural significance of T1 in Korean esports, it's important to understand that the organization carries enormous expectations with every match they play. As the most decorated team in League of Legends history, with multiple World Championships to their name, T1 is held to a standard that few other teams experience.
This context makes the ADC competition between Gumayusi and Smash particularly noteworthy. In Korean esports culture, roster changes on successful teams are scrutinized intensely, and the decision to bench a player who contributed to World Championships is not taken lightly by fans or analysts.
T1's victory over DRX, therefore, represents more than just a good start to the season—it's a validation of the organization's decision-making and a reaffirmation of their commitment to excellence. As the 2025 LCK Spring Split unfolds, T1 will continue to balance the weight of their legacy with the need to evolve and improve in an increasingly competitive landscape.