Star India batter Shreyas Iyer recently recalled his first meeting with former New Zealand and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player Ross Taylor. This incident happened when Iyer was a ball boy during the IPL’s first two
seasons in 2008 and 2009 as well.

On Sunday, September 7, iQOO India released a YouTube podcast featuring Shreyas Iyer, where he said, “I really liked Ross Taylor. So, during the first game when the fireworks went off, the particles from the fireworks fell all over the ground. We had to go and pick them up. I intentionally ran up to him so that I could say hi. He shook my hand, and then I went back while picking up the fireworks debris.”

“Mumbai Indians, obviously being from Mumbai, I used to support Mumbai. At the start of the IPL, in the first and second seasons, I was a ball boy. So when we played Under-14 for Mumbai, all the players who participated in the Mumbai Under-14 team were also ball boys. That’s when I got to meet a lot of cricketers,” he further added.

However, Shreyas Iyer also spoke about the mindset of players and how they manage situations when left out of the squad.

“It is only frustrating when you know that you deserve to be in the team, in the playing XI. At that time, it’s frustrating. But at the same time, when you know that someone is performing and playing consistently for the team and bringing their best, you support them. And eventually, the goal is for the team to win. When the team is winning, everyone is happy,” he shared again.

“But as I keep talking about integrity, even if you don’t get a chance, you have to make sure that you do your work ethically. It’s not like you do it only when someone is watching. Even when no one is watching, you have to keep doing your work,” Shreyas Iyer concluded.