Passion runs deep and in the case of Bangalore-based Abhishek. N, following cricket and football equally took centre-stage. “If I am not following it on the web or television that’s because I would be on the ground,” says a beaming Abhishek, who was crowned champion of the ESPN – Cricinfo CricIQ Doosra quiz recently.
“I missed the semi-finals of the inaugural edition through a silly error and was determined not to repeat it this time. And here I am at the top of the heap,” said the 30-year old, a finance analyst with Deutsche Bank. “If it was around 1.2 lakh participants in the last edition, this year it was three times the figure,” he added.
What was the one thing he was determined to beat, besides time?
“The questions themselves!” he said. “It was unique, rather than tough. One had to answer a certain number of questions in a limited time and I, many a time, found the questions easy but could not beat the time and at times seemed to have lots of time but could not answer the questions,” he lamented.
The 10-plus weeks of trying and testing rounds — five ‘hangouts’ with the toppers from each ‘hangout’ qualifying for the grand finale — took much in terms of physical and mental exhaustion but at the end of it all, the coveted prize was a “happy and satisfying” experience.
And how did he prepare for the event? “Well, following the games from the World Cups to the minor IPL games matters and I do it meticulously and with great gusto,” says the Manchester United fan, who is also an ardent Australian supporter (when it comes to international loyalties). “But in the IPL, since I am from Hyderabad, it’s Sunrisers,” said Abhishek.
And about the Rs. One lakh prize money that he won, Abhishek quipped: “Well I have not decided on it yet. I am travelling for the next few days and then maybe I will decide what to do.”
