This was a special moment for one of the net bowlers at the ICC Cricket Academy here, Jaskiran Singh, when Shreyas Iyer, an Indian top-order batter during practice, came up to him with a pair of spikes during the practice session for the Champions Trophy.
Jaskiran, a chartered accountant and also an avid cricket lover, says Iyer came up to him while he was fielding at long-off, asking, “Paaji kya haal-chaal, sab badiya?” (Brother how are you, everything fine?)
“He came up to me and asked ‘what’s your shoe size’? I said 10, and he said I’ve got something for you and gave me these spikes. It really means a lot,” said Jaskiran.
VIDEO | Here is what Jaskiran Singh, a Charted Accountant and part-time cricketer from UAE said after receiving a pair of shoes from India batter Shreyas Iyer on the sidelines of India's training session in Dubai on Friday. Jaskiran has been residing in UAE for last 18 years and… pic.twitter.com/tkNPqtddaX
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 1, 2025
Jaskiran was the only alternate speedster employed by the ICC Champions Trophy and thus could not make into net-bowling within the Indian setup simply due to the fact that too many off-spinners were in place for Rohit Sharma’s side.
Disappointment turned into joy, apparently sensing that the spinner looks dejected. He came up to him and gifted Jaskiran a pair of his shoes.
“I am a part of the ICC net bowling team for the Champions Trophy. Today was one such special moment of my life. Received these spikes from Shreyas Iyer.
“I’ve been fielding for them in this tournament but was waiting for the opportunity to bowl to them. I have bowled to Pakistan and Bangladesh; that was really a good experience. And then this, coming from Shreyas Bhai means a lot,” said Jaskiran.
“This means a lot – with top order needing help in the event of a top-order collapse.” Added Jaskiran.
“I would not say that I have a favourite, as every batter on Team India is special, but yes, the one I look up to is Rishabh Pant because he is a left-handed batsman, it would come-between me and him and the inclination because of that.”He seems to be a really good left-hander-curve bowler”
“We have been with Team India since the first session and today being the fourth. Shreyas bhai is always so jolly in the field and every time the ball comes my way, he is like ‘catch it'”.Jaskiran concluded.
