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The San Francisco Unicorns will kick off their 2026 MLC campaign on Friday, June 19, 2026, against the LA Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas.
Ravichandran Ashwin signs deal with San Francisco Unicorns (X)The San Francisco Unicorns have made one of the biggest moves in Major League Cricket (MLC) history by signing Indian cricket icon Ravichandran Ashwin for the 2026 season. This signing marks a historic milestone as Ashwin becomes the first player with Indian national team caps to compete in the growing American T20 league.
Ashwin, widely regarded as one of India's greatest match-winners, brings a wealth of experience and skill to the Unicorns. The off-spinner has an impressive resume that includes the 2011 Cricket World Cup title, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and more than 100 caps each in Test and ODI cricket, along with 65 T20 International appearances. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he ranks among the top five wicket-takers of all time, having played for Chennai Super Kings as well as stints with Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Capitals.
The deal is expected to boost the Unicorns both on and off the field. Ashwin's world-class spin bowling, clever variations, and sharp cricketing brain make him a valuable asset. Beyond his playing skills, his leadership qualities and tactical acumen will strengthen the squad.
Ravichandran Ashwin embraces a pioneer role and championship ambitions
Speaking about the move, Ravichandran Ashwin said, “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,” he added.
Head coach Cameron White on the signing
Head coach Cameron White expressed excitement over the signing. He stated, “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.”
What this means for MLC 2026 and cricket in America
This landmark signing highlights MLC's rising status on the global cricket calendar. By attracting top Indian talent, the league continues to expand its appeal and showcase high-quality T20 cricket to new audiences in the US. Ashwin's presence is likely to draw bigger crowds and increase media interest.
The San Francisco Unicorns will kick off their 2026 MLC campaign on Friday, June 19, 2026, against the LA Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas. The tournament will conclude on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Oakland Coliseum.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
English (US) ·