San Francisco, March 28 – Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to become the first Indian player to compete in Major League Cricket (MLC), after signing with the San Francisco Unicorns for the 2026 season.
Ashwin was a member of the Indian team that won the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. In all, he has taken 765 international wickets in 287 matches across all three formats, and remains the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket.
“The MLC has proven over recent seasons that it can put on a show, attracting world-class players and providing significant exposure to US domestic cricket talent, and the opportunity to be a part of it with the San Francisco Unicorns was one I couldn't pass up.
“Taking on the responsibility of being the first Indian-capped player to compete in Major League Cricket is a major responsibility that I fully embrace. My absolute focus is to help this franchise win games and strive for its first championship, while also showcasing a spectacular brand of cricket for the fans in the Bay Area,” Ashwin said in a statement.
Ashwin is also one of the top five wicket-takers in IPL history, having represented Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals. He was originally scheduled to play for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL), but a knee injury ruled him out of the competition.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a player of Ashwin's stature to the Unicorns. When you talk about match-winners and cricketing intelligence, his name is at the top of the list around the world.
“Bringing in the first Indian-capped player is a massive moment for our franchise and MLC as a whole, but first and foremost, he's joining to help us win games. His experience in high-pressure situations and his skill variations will be invaluable on the pitch and in the nets, and I can't wait to get into camp and start working with him,” said head coach Cameron White.
The San Francisco Unicorns' season will begin on June 19 against LA Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, near Dallas, Texas, with the tournament culminating at the franchise's home ground, the Oakland Coliseum, on July 18.
The franchise previously retained captain Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Finn Allen, and Haris Rauf from its overseas player roster. The domestic retentions include Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Brody Couch, Juanoy Drysdale, and Hammad Azam.