Family’s 7-Year Lottery Streak Ends as Wife and Sister Choose Winning Ticket; Prize to Support Friend in Coma.
A Bahrain-based Indian expat has won Dh20 million in the latest Abu Dhabi Big Ticket after seven years of trying—striking it lucky with a free entry received through a buy-two-get-two promotion.
Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran, 43, who has lived in Bahrain for 23 years, was on a family vacation in Kerala when the Series 287 draw took place on Wednesday night.
The winning ticket number 339729, which had a face value of Dh0 as it was part of a promotional offer, was selected by his wife and sister while he was away. The moment gained attention during the live draw when the host displayed the ticket details on screen showing a zero value, as it was a complimentary entry.
“I bought tickets through the buy-two-get-two offer. All numbers were chosen randomly by my wife and sister. Interestingly, it was one of the two free tickets that turned lucky for our family,” Krishnakumar told over the phone from Kerala.
He had flown home on May 25 for a two-week break to spend time with his wife and two sons, who were studying in Kerala, as the children’s school vacation was coming to an end.
He purchased the tickets online on May 28. When Abu Dhabi Big Ticket officials tried to reach him with the life-changing news, his Bahrain number was switched off as it was not on roaming.
“So when they called, my phone was not reachable. Later, they reached out to me through WhatsApp on my India number,” he said.
Rough patch to riches
Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran’s Big Ticket journey traces back to a difficult phase in his life. He moved to Bahrain around the age of 20 after studying hotel management and worked in the hospitality sector before starting his own restaurant in Manama.
When his business later went through a challenging period, he began purchasing Big Ticket entries every month.
“I started taking part with the hope of creating better opportunities for myself and my family,” he recalled.
It was a quiet act of hope he maintained consistently for seven years, even as his business recovered after the pandemic.
Over time, he sometimes purchased tickets with friends and at other times on his own, often opting for multiple entries when bundle offers were available. This time, however, he emerged as the sole winner and does not need to share the prize with anyone.
Still in disbelief
The win has left the family in a state of joyful shock. “It was so unexpected. We are still in disbelief. The news is just sinking in only,” Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran said.
His wife and sister, who randomly selected all the numbers, were especially overwhelmed by the outcome. “The family was excited after hearing the win, especially my wife and sister,” he added.
Friend in coma
While the win opens up many possibilities, he said there is one immediate priority he is certain about: airlifting his close friend and business partner, who has been in a coma for three months after suffering serious head injuries from a fall.
Abu Dhabi Big Ticket winner said, “His condition is very bad. I would like to bring him to India for his further treatment.”
The friend, a 41-year-old unmarried man from Kodagu in Karnataka, will require special arrangements for repatriation. For Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran, assisting him has become the immediate priority.
UAE family trip
As for the remaining prize money, he said he has not yet made final plans and will decide in consultation with his family. However, he confirmed that he will travel to the UAE to formally receive the prize, and this time intends to bring his family along.
“My family had visited the UAE some years back. It would be the first time after my children became old enough,” he said.
His sons are currently studying in Grades six and three.
He added that he is already familiar with currency exchange rates, suggesting he is beginning to think practically about managing his newfound wealth.
Krishnakumar Syamala Ravindran advised fellow participants to “keep trying, stay positive, and never give up.”
