Historic shift: The top six baseball talents from India officially decide to turn professional
The sports landscape in South Asia is set to change as professional baseball makes its debut in the region. On November 14, the Mumbai Cobras will take the field for the first time at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai, marking a historic moment as they face off against the Karachi Monarchs in the Subcontinent Series.
This is the first time a professional baseball league has ever played in the Middle East or South Asia, breaking new ground for the sport in the region. The Mumbai Cobras, the first professional baseball franchise in India, will be led by the first overall draft pick, Karan Patel from Houston, Texas. Patel made history in 2019 by becoming the first player of Indian descent to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team.
The Cobras' roster also includes three Indian-American signings - Raul Shah from Chatham, UK, Aaron Singh from Artesia, California, and Rinku Singh, who was one of the first professionals signed by Baseball United. Rinku Singh, a homegrown talent, began playing baseball in India in 2009 and has been coached by Baseball United's staff since 2021. Saurabh Gaikwad, another local Indian player, has been with the team since 2014 and has played baseball for 11 years. Akshay More, another local Indian player, started playing baseball in 2019 and has been coached by Baseball United's staff since 2021.
The league will also feature three additional teams - Arabia Wolves and Mid East Falcons, making it a six-team competition. The season will last for a month, with the top two teams advancing to the United Series on Dec. 12-14. The games will be broadcast globally, with partners to be announced in the coming weeks.
The inclusion of six Indians in the league gives the nation's athletes a global platform usually reserved for cricket. Baseball's popularity in India has grown steadily, with more than 500 schools and universities competing in baseball and softball. The Mumbai Cobra's first opponents will be the Karachi Monarchs, as the two teams set to make history in the first professional baseball game in South Asia.
Kash Shaikh, Baseball United CEO, believes baseball is India's young prince, with the core elements of the game being similar to cricket. "Baseball is a natural fit for India, and we're excited to bring this exciting sport to the region," said Shaikh. "We believe that with the right investment and support, baseball can become a major sport in India."
The games will be a significant step forward for baseball in South Asia, and fans are eagerly awaiting the historic debut of the Mumbai Cobras on November 14.
