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24.03.2025Mumbai Indians have announced the signing of Corbin Bosch as a replacement for the injured Lizaad Williams.
24.03.2025
**Reflections of an IPL Captain: From Ball Boy in 2008 to Leading Punjab Kings**
Reflecting on his early days with the Indian Premier League (IPL), Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer shared a nostalgic anecdote about his time as a ball boy during the 2008 season. Serving at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, Iyer witnessed a clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) up close, marking his first intimate experience with IPL.
This recollection was shared during a chat with New Zealand cricket stalwart Ross Taylor, who at the time was representing RCB. Iyer, ever keen to imprint his presence on the field, recounted his youthful admiration for Taylor, who sportingly acknowledged the young fan’s admiration.
Iyer, who successfully led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024, now seeks to replicate that success with PBKS as they prepare to face Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 25.
In an interview on JioHotstar’s ‘Superstars’ program, Iyer reminisced, “Growing up playing street cricket, serving as a ball boy was a dream. My teammates and I, part of Mumbai’s U-14 squad, were enlisted for this role. Interactions with players were rare for me then, but I mustered the courage to express my admiration to Ross Taylor, one of my favorites.”
Iyer also fondly recalled meeting Punjab Kings’ all-rounder Irfan Pathan during the same match. “Seeing Irfan Pathan up close was thrilling. He chatted with us, and his presence, alongside the charm of Punjab’s team featuring Yuvraj Singh, left a lasting impression.”
Since debuting in 2015, Iyer has accumulated 3,127 runs with an impressive average of 32.23 and a strike rate of 127.47, boasting 21 half-centuries. He was awarded ‘Emerging Player’ in 2015 with Delhi Capitals for his significant contribution of 439 runs. Elevated to captaincy in 2018, Iyer led DC to the finals in 2020. His leadership flourished with KKR, culminating in a 2024 IPL triumph under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir.
(Except for the headline, this article is published from a syndicated feed without modifications by NDTV staff.)
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