Major League Baseball and Disney Star have joined forces with IMG and Amped Pictures to create a docu-series called ‘Indian Baseball Dreams.’ It follows the journey of Arjun Nimmala, a first-generation Indian American drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB Amateur Draft, making him the first Indian American selected in a major American professional sport. The series explores Nimmala’s roots in Vijayawada, India, and the country’s sporting culture. It features meetings with cricket star Ajinkya Rahane, highlighting Nimmala’s journey and stories of young baseball talents in India.
The four-part documentary premieres on Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 2 from October 18 to October 21, 2023, with a re-telecast until October 26. ‘Indian Baseball Dreams’ will go nationwide on Disney Hotstar in November. This series is part of the renewed partnership between MLB and Disney Star, which includes live broadcasts of the MLB postseason on Indian television, designed to cater to Indian audiences and promote baseball in the country.
A Star Sports spokesperson described the show as a journey that connects cultures and demonstrates the power of sport to inspire victory and legacy. It tells the story of breaking barriers and strengthening the relationship between India and baseball. Manish Batavia, a sports commentator in India, highlighted the parallels between cricket and baseball in India, making MLB exciting for Indian fans.
Major League Baseball has been increasing interest in baseball in India since 2019, with initiatives like the MLB Cup youth tournament, involving 154 teams across the country. Ryo Takahashi, Business Development Manager for MLB India, emphasized the goal of expanding baseball’s reach and creating opportunities for the public to play through youth programs.
