Parsee Gymkhana's cricketers were on Monday motivated by a pre-season talk from Bollywood actor Boman Irani as part of an annual feature initiated by the Marine Drive Gymkhana's vice-president and cricket secretary Khodadad Yazdegardi. Irani, who revealed how his journey to Bollywood stardom included being a waiter, wafers seller, sports photographer and theatre actor, highlighted the importance of having the "fire to perform."

"If you have the fire and passion, you will succeed. But if you are taking wickets just because you are talented and if the fire went out, the wickets will dry up, runs will dry up," Irani said during his speech. Ex-Test cricketers Nari Contractor, Chandrakant Pandit, Lalchand Rajput, Paras Mhambrey and Sairaj Bahutule were speakers in earlier years. Parsee Gymkhana are in the 'B' division of the forthcoming Kanga League. Their captain and Mumbai player Aditya Tare described Irani's life experiences as "amazing."