Mumbai, October 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Major League Baseball (MLB) star Nick Swisher has praised Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav, recalling their meeting during the 2026 MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia and saying he immediately recognised the Indian batter’s special qualities.
Swisher’s remarks came as MLB hosted its inaugural MLBx Mumbai 3-on-3 baseball event at the Mumbai Football Arena in the Andheri Sports Complex, bringing together international baseball stars and Indian cricket players for a showcase of power hitting, athletic defence and fast-paced competition.
Recalling his experience in Mumbai, Swisher praised the hospitality of the city and the enthusiasm of its people. He also acknowledged the contribution of Indian cricket stars and softball players to the event.
“Mumbai, you showed up for us; we can’t thank you enough. By the way, when we met during the All-Star Game, I knew he had something. That’s why I wanted him on my team,” Swisher told reporters, referring to his earlier meeting with Suryakumar.
The Indian batter, who served as captain when India won the 2026 T20 World Cup, began his association with MLB India as a brand ambassador during the All-Star Week in Philadelphia.
The Mumbai event brought cricket and baseball together, with Swisher and former MLB star Adrian Gonzalez taking on Suryakumar in a contest highlighting the two sports’ power-hitting and defensive skills.
MLBx is MLB’s fast-paced 3-on-3 baseball competition, combining baseball and softball talent with interactive fan experiences and entertainment. The format, previously known as MLB Home Run Derby X, featured events in London, Mexico City and Seoul in 2022.
The Mumbai edition featured Indian cricketers Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Radha Yadav and Deepak Chahar alongside Suryakumar. Former MLB players Jake Arrieta, Jonny Gomes, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Swisher also participated, along with Athletes Unlimited Softball League players Rachel Garcia and Jordan Woolery.
The participants were divided into four teams named after historic MLB franchises: the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees. The competition followed a knockout format, with each game lasting three innings and combining power hitting, athletic fielding and rapid gameplay.
Each player received a two-minute batting opportunity during a three-inning game, while the opposing team deployed three players in the outfield. Teams earned one point for every home run and one point for each catch.
Additional points were available for hitting the ball through a centre-field target positioned above the outfield fence or calling a five-swing hot streak, during which both offensive and defensive points counted double. The team with the highest score at the end of each game advanced.
Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur described the experience as challenging but enjoyable, noting that baseball required techniques different from those used in cricket.
“It is tough because it’s not easy to keep hitting. The techniques are a little bit different. We had to learn about it, but the baseball players were really kind to teach us, discuss with us, and let us know about their sport. So, it was a completely new experience,” Thakur said.
He added that the enthusiastic response from spectators, particularly young fans hoping to catch the balls, showed the excitement generated by the sport.
Fast bowler Deepak Chahar, who played baseball for the first time, said he enjoyed the experience, particularly the distance the ball could travel when hit.
Chahar also compared the sport’s accessibility to gully cricket, saying that playing baseball could be relatively simple because it required only a bat and a ball. He described competing against Suryakumar as especially exciting, given their friendship and years of playing together for the Indian team and Mumbai Indians.
India spinner Radha Yadav also expressed confidence that Indian audiences would enjoy baseball, particularly its emphasis on powerful hitting.
“People in India will love to bat, and baseball is all about batting and those powerful shots. I think people will like it because people in India love watching those sixes,” she said.
Radha described the experience of fielding as equally thrilling, explaining that the ball travelled at such speed that it could be difficult to follow. Although swinging a baseball bat felt different from using a cricket bat, she said the event was an enjoyable opportunity to experience another sport.
The MLBx Mumbai event highlighted the potential for greater engagement between baseball and cricket audiences in India through interactive competitions featuring established international stars and leading Indian cricketers.
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