Ravichandran Ashwin Joins New Team, Becomes First Indian To Play In This League

Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to become the first Indian player to feature 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 picked up 765 international wickets from 287 matches across all three formats and remains the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history. "The MLC has proven over recent seasons that it can put on a show, bringing in world-class players and offering significant exposure to U.S. domestic cricket talent. The opportunity to be a part of it with the San Francisco Unicorns was one 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," Ashwin said in a statement.

Ashwin is also one of the top five wicket-takers in IPL history, having represented his home franchise, the Chennai Super Kings, as well as the Rising Pune Supergiants, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and the Delhi Capitals. He was slated to play for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL) before 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 worldwide.

"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 will begin their season on June 19 against the 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 players' roster. The domestic retentions include Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Brody Couch, Juanoy Drysdale, and Hammad Azam.

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