It’s a typical question that sports fans pose to one another, will the best cricket players be able to player in the Major League Baseball (MLB)
Could an athlete cross the divide and succeed at a high level at a different sport from the one that they’ve excelled in? We’ve seen rare glimpses in the past in the United States where Deion Sanders played in both the NFL and the MLB.
Can The Major League Baseball (MLB) Lure The Best Cricket Players In The World
Sanders was named to the NFL Hall of Fame due to his brilliance as a cornerback and a returner. He was decent for the Atlanta Braves in the MLB, although not quite to the standard of his NFL. Michael Jordan was less successful in his move from the NBA to the MLB for the Chicago White Sox before returning to basketball and winning three further NBA Finals. Players have made the transition across from American sports to baseball, but what about sports further afield such as cricket?
The skill sets are somewhat transferable, and given how cricket is now being played, it could be the case more than ever due to the expansive array of strokes. Whether a potential arrival would be enough to sway the MLB odds where the New York Yankees are one of the leading contenders to win the World Series at odds of +375.
It would be interesting to see a team such as the Yankees attempt to bridge this market, especially with the legions of fans that it would create in a country such as India or England by attracting a major star from the world of cricket. Here are two names that could appeal and may consider the riches that are on offer for the best MLB players in the business.
Rishabh Pant
Pant is a superstar of Indian cricket and is firmly entrenching himself as the best player in India’s line-up across all formats. It’s not only his fearless swashbuckling style but also his personality and attitude behind the stumps that has endeared him to the millions of fans across India and the rest of the world.
He has troubled opposing bowlers with his style of play, which is truly unique to the 25-year-old. Pant always seems to have the answer to find the boundary or indeed clear the rope, even against the best attacks in the world. He would make a good catcher and a lead-off hitter for any MLB side, while his hand-eye coordination would surely allow him to be a challenger for any home-run records.
Jos Buttler
Buttler is another titan of the world of white-ball cricket, lighting up the international stage and domestic competitions with his brilliance. There are few crickets in the history of the game that have struck a cleaner ball than Buttler. His power and strength have decimated opposing teams with ease. He has flashed his baseball skills when the MLB visited London and did not look out of place.
Any MLB outfit would be fortunate to have Buttler anywhere in the line-up. The 31-year-old has the skill set and power to clear the stands in almost every stadium in the league. This particular market is not one that MLB is investigating, but it could be an untapped resource in the future
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