India all-rounder Hardik Pandya featured in a sports challenge video by popular YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, known as ‘MrBeast’, competing alongside international sporting stars including LeBron James and Erling Haaland.
Pandya took part in a baseball home-run challenge against MrBeast, where the aim was to hit three balls out of the ground. It wasn’t close to actual baseball, as the pitcher was also a YouTuber, who was gently lobbing the ball, instead of hurling it at 90 kph. Pandya admitted that he had never played baseball before but emerged victorious to claim the $100,000 (approx Rs. 95 lakh) prize.
Pandya, however, chose not to keep his winnings and instead directed the entire prize money towards charity. The funds were split between ADAPT
and Community Streeties India, organisations associated with animal welfare.
The video included several prominent athletes, with basketball players LeBron James and Caitlin Clark, gymnast Simone Biles and figure skater Alysa Liu among the participants. Indian YouTuber CarryMinati also featured in Pandya’s segment.
Hardik Pandya out till IPL 2027?
Pandya last played competitive cricket for Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026 in May. His last international appearance came in the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup in March.
His return to competitive cricket set to be delayed until the 2027 Indian Premier League, expected to begin in March, with the India allrounder continuing his recovery from a stress injury to the inner side of his calf. The 32-year-old is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, his medical reports were reviewed by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala earlier in October and as part of his recovery programme, Pandya is expected to resume jogging in November.
His running workload will then be increased gradually over the following eight weeks, while strength training is also being stepped up cautiously to avoid aggravating the injury. However, no definitive timeline has been established for his return to full fitness.
If the recovery extends until the IPL, Pandya could miss India’s upcoming white-ball assignments against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. He was also left out of the squad for the ongoing New Zealand tour.
