Cricket and baseball, even if technically different sports, but happens to be a basic reference for fans of either of the disciplines. However, there came certain reports that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is trying to use the 1% similarities between the two sports, just a few names to participate in baseball and softball at major global events like the Asian Games and the Olympics. Actually, these two sports often stay unrepresented by the Indians. Cricket on the side produces buckets of talents every now and then who fail to break into the bigger stage. Sai reportedly tried to use this opportunity. However, turning cricketers into baseball players is not easy. Experts say the skills may look similar, but the mechanics are different. In cricket, bowlers rely on bounce and seam movement, while baseball pitchers focus on fast, direct throws. Batting also requires different reflexes. However, the idea is not entirely new. In 2008, an American sports agent, J.B. Bernstein, tried to find baseball talent in India through a reality show. He discovered two young men from Uttar Pradesh—Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel. They trained in the U.S. and signed with Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates. Their journey even inspired a Hollywood movie, Million Dollar Arm. Read also: KKR Trophy Tour 2024: Full Schedule, Cities & Fan Events Ministry Rubbishes Report of Approaching Cricketers for Baseball Despite the speculation, the Indian sports ministry has denied any official plan to transition cricketers into baseball players. A senior ministry official dismissed the reports, calling them "completely baseless." The official stated, “Baseball is not even a recognized national federation here. Why would we consider approaching cricketers for a sport that has no formal structure in India?" The ministry emphasized that their focus is on strengthening disciplines where India has a competitive presence, rather than experimenting with baseball. Additionally, sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have also rubbished the idea. A senior BCCI official questioned, “Why would any cricketer give up a lucrative IPL contract to play baseball, which has no financial security in India?” With no government backing and no structured plan in place, the possibility of Indian cricketers shifting to baseball appears highly unlikely. For now, the sport remains a distant thought rather than a serious prospect.