Mumbai, Oct 24 World T20 winning former India captain Suryakumar Yadav believes range hitting in cricket and baseball is bound by a common thread — strong core and arms for one to smash the ball for long and hard.
The New York Yankees team comprising MLB brand ambassador Suryakumar, MLB legend Nick Swisher, and MVP Rachel Garcia emerged as the champions of MLBx: Mumbai, Major League Baseball promotional event.
Out-of-favour Suryakumar, who tried his hands at the popular American sport, was accompanied by other Indian cricketers Jitesh Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, and Radha Yadav. MLB legends Jonny Gomes, Jake Arrieta, and Adrian Gonzalez were also present.
“It is a very big sport, I felt it when I went to New York recently and the atmosphere was amazing and same thing that we want to carry here in Mumbai as well. The crowd was similar, but I am sure when they will get to know about this sport more, it will grow bigger,” Suryakumar said.
“I think it is all about good range hitting, but whatever it is, you have to be strong from your mind to your lower body, have good core, and have strong arms like these people, work really hard, nothing comes easy,” he added.
India pacer Chahar said, “Even I played this game for the first time, I really enjoyed because the ball goes further and it is easier for Indian people because it is not too expensive.”
“You just need a ball and a bat and I think it is just like gully cricket but even when you play gully cricket you can only score the runs straight it is similar to that.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh said it is a new sport for Indians to explore. “It’s a new game and if it’s grows, it will be another opportunity for the crowds, for the youngsters. They can explore the new game.”
“It was a new thing to learn from the baseball players about their set-up,” said Radha.
(PTI News)
