For 28-time world champion Pankaj Advani, the cue and the green baize have been a defining part of his life for more than three decades.One of India’s most accomplished billiards players, Advani has dominated the sport across disciplines, winning numerous world, Asian and national titles and establishing himself as one of the finest cue-sports players of his generation.Recalling how his journey in billiards began, Pankaj Advani spoke exclusively to Bombay Times, saying, “My elder brother Shree was the one who introduced me to the game in 1995 and taught me how to play. He used to go with his friends after school, and I would keep wondering where he was going. One day, he asked me to come along and watch them play. A couple of weeks later, I mustered the courage to ask if I could play a shot. My very first shot went in, somehow, I just got it. And, as they say, the rest is history.”
Pankaj added, “Soon, we were told that there was some promise in my game and that I should join the coaching camp at the Karnataka State Billiards Association. After attending the camps, they too saw potential in me and offered us membership so that young players could use the facilities, practise and improve. With that membership, we started playing there. Soon after, a handicap tournament was announced – in this players who were not as experienced as the seniors or better players were given an advantage in terms of points.”They entered the tournament just for fun, never imagining that they would turn out to be two giant-killers who would eventually meet in the final.“It was a dream debut tournament for both of us. And then, I was this 10-year-old who ended up beating my elder brother — the very person who had introduced me to the game and taught me how to play! It was such a memorable moment for both of us. I feel I just never stopped winning after that,” adds Pankaj.In many ways, that tournament marked the beginning of Pankaj’s remarkable journey and his stamping of authority on the game. What began with a curious 10-year-old asking to play a single shot would go on to become one of the most decorated careers in cue sports, with Advani continuing to set benchmarks for Indian billiards and inspire a new generation of players.
