MUMBAI: Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a strategic partnership with Indian cricket star and 2026 T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, who will serve as an MLB Ambassador to help promote baseball among Indian sports fans.
As part of the collaboration, Yadav will work with MLB on fan engagement initiatives, original content and major events aimed at introducing baseball to new audiences across India. Managed exclusively by RISE Worldwide, Yadav is expected to participate in MLB events in both India and the United States, including MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia from July 10–14.
MLB also announced the renewal of its broadcast partnership with JioStar, ensuring continued live coverage of Major League Baseball across India on both television and digital platforms. The renewed agreement includes broadcasts of the MLB All-Star Game, selected regular-season matches and the World Series.
MLB Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Events Jeremiah Yolkut said the partnerships with Suryakumar Yadav and JioStar would help the league connect with India’s vibrant sports audience and expand baseball’s footprint in the country.
Speaking on the collaboration, Suryakumar Yadav said he was excited to partner with MLB and help introduce Indian fans to the excitement and culture of baseball while learning more about the sport himself.
The announcement follows MLB’s strategic partnership with RISE Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, to accelerate the growth of baseball in India.
According to MLB, the combined reach of RISE Worldwide and JioStar will provide access to one of India’s largest sports and entertainment ecosystems, creating new opportunities for fan engagement, content creation and live game coverage as the league continues to strengthen its presence in the country.
