Jonny Gomes and Jake Arrieta join Suryakumar Yadav, Nick Swisher, Adrián González and AUSL talent for MLB’s first-ever MLBx event in India

India’s cricket stars are stepping onto the baseball diamond as they take on a new sporting challenge. Major League Baseball today announced that Indian cricket stars Shardul Thakur, Jitesh Sharma and Kashvee Gautam will join Suryakumar Yadav; former MLB Legends Nick Swisher, Adrián González, Jonny Gomes, and Jake Arrieta; and Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) stars Rachel Garcia and Jordan Woolery at MLBx: Mumbai.

The first-ever MLBx event in India will take place on 24 October at Mumbai Football Arena, Andheri Sports Complex, bringing together cricket, baseball and softball talent for a high-energy 3-on-3 showdown, with four iconic MLB franchises represented on the field – New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs.

Meet the Teams

NEW YORK YANKEES
Nick Swisher | Suryakumar Yadav | Rachel Garcia

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Adrián González | Jitesh Sharma | Jordan Woolery

CHICAGO CUBS
Jake Arrieta | Shardul Thakur | 1 player to be confirmed

BOSTON RED SOX
Jonny Gomes | Kashvee Gautam | 1 player to be confirmed

The four teams bring together World Series champions, MLB All-Stars, Indian cricket stars and AUSL talent for a unique cross-sport competition, putting athletes from different sporting worlds on the same field. The final two players will be announced soon.

For fans, it is a rare chance to see some of India’s biggest cricketing names go head-to-head, and side-by-side, with players who have competed at the highest level of baseball.

World Series Champions Join the Line-Up

Two more World Series champions will now join the MLBx: Mumbai line-up.

Jonny Gomes, who played for 13 MLB seasons, was part of the 2013 Boston Red Sox World Series-winning team and finished his career with 162 home runs.

Jake Arrieta, the 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner for the league’s best pitcher, helped lead the Chicago Cubs to their historic 2016 World Series championship.

They join Nick Swisher, a 2009 World Series champion and 2010 MLB All-Star with the New York Yankees, and Adrián González, a five-time MLB All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner honoring his outstanding defense.

The line-up also features AUSL athletes Jordan Woolery, the 2026 Softball America and Big Ten Player of the Year, and Rachel Garcia, a two-time NFCA National Player of the Year, Olympic silver medallist and first overall pick in the inaugural AUSL Draft.

More Than Just a Game

MLBx: Mumbai will bring the energy of baseball together with the culture of Mumbai, combining sport, music, food and entertainment throughout the experience.

Badshah and KR$NA will bring their hip-hop performances to the event, while Mumbai-based DJ OG SHEZ will set the tone with her genre-blending sound.

At the centre of it all will be the 3-on-3 competition - short, fast and built for big moments - putting the players’ athleticism and adaptability to the test.

Jeremiah Yolkut, Major League Baseball, Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Events, said:

“India’s passion for sport, combined with its vibrant entertainment culture, makes Mumbai the perfect setting for MLBx’s first event in the country. By bringing together some of India’s biggest cricket stars with MLB stars and elite softball athletes, we’re creating a unique opportunity for fans to experience baseball in a new and exciting way. We’re excited to continue building our connection with Indian fans and introducing more people to the game through this celebration of sport and culture.”

Nikhil Bardia, Head of RISE Worldwide, said:

“MLBx: Mumbai is about bringing two sporting worlds together in a way that feels fresh and exciting for Indian fans. Having Suryakumar Yadav lead the charge alongside Shardul, Jitesh and Kashvee, and share the field with MLB legends and AUSL athletes, makes this much more than a baseball event - it’s a celebration of sport, entertainment and culture. We’re proud to bring this experience to Mumbai and give fans the chance to see some incredible sporting talent come together in a completely new format.”

MLBx: Mumbai marks the first MLBx event in India and builds on MLB’s growing engagement with Indian fans and partnership with RISE Worldwide to accelerate the growth of baseball in the country.

Tickets for MLBx: Mumbai are now live on BookMyShow.