Former India National Cricket Team off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has signed a massive deal to play in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 for the San Francisco Unicorns.
In an interesting development, the legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be sharing the dressing room with the Pakistan National Cricket Team paceman Haris Rauf at the San Francisco Unicorns.
Ravichandran Ashwin joins San Francisco Unicorns
On Saturday, March 28, the San Francisco Unicorns announced the signing of Ravichandran Ashwin. This deal with San Francisco Unicorns will make Ravichandran Ashwin the first-ever Indian-capped player to compete in MLC.
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Ashwin brings a plethora of experience with him, and after retiring from Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has expressed his desire to play in the foreign leagues and share his knowledge with young cricketers.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ravichandran Ashwin played 221 games and bagged 187 wickets while playing for Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals.
Talking about the San Francisco Unicorns squad, it contains the likes of Finn Allen, Haris Rauf, Matt Short, and Cooper Connolly, among other top names, and the addition of Ashwin will act as a huge boost for the side.
The MLC has proven over recent seasons that it can put on a show – Ravichandran Ashwin
In an official statement released by the franchise, Ashwin said that Major League Cricket is a world-class league and has put on a show in the first few seasons. He stated:
“The MLC has proven over recent seasons that it can put on a show, bringing in world-class players and offering significant exposure to US domestic cricket talent, and the opportunity to be a part of it with the San Francisco Unicorns was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
“Taking on the mantle as 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 push for its first Championship, while also putting on a spectacular brand of cricket for the Bay Area fans.”
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a player of Ashwin’s stature to the Unicorns –
The San Francisco Unicorns head coach, Cameron White, said that they are thrilled to have a legendary player like Ashwin in their squad. He elaborated:
“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.”
While the CEO of the franchise, David White, said that Ashwin playing in Major League Cricket is a landmark moment for cricket in the USA. He stated:
“The arrival of Ravichandran Ashwin is a seismic moment, not just for the Unicorns, but for the entire trajectory of American cricket. Beyond his tactical genius on the pitch, Ashwin brings a level of market impact that will elevate the Major League Cricket brand and drive sustained fan enthusiasm.”
“This signing is about our championship ambitions, but also proof of our evolution as a franchise. By bringing a global icon to the Bay Area, we are scaling our international footprint and creating a unique bridge for our partners to engage with the global cricketing ecosystem.”
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