Ravichandran Ashwin joins San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin has become the first former Indian national team player to join Major League Cricket after signing with the San Francisco Unicorns for the upcoming season.
The 39-year-old will feature in the third edition of the American T20 tournament, which concludes with the final at the Oakland Coliseum on 18 July.
His arrival represents a significant milestone for the growing sport in the United States ahead of cricket’s return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after a 128-year absence.
‘Very exciting’ potential for American cricket
The veteran off-spinner recently participated in an exhibition match in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, an experience that convinced him to make the historic switch.
“Just looking at the reception that the Asian diaspora was able to bring for that game just showed me what the potential of American cricket could very well be,” Ashwin told ESPN.
The World Cup winner arrives in North America as one of the most decorated bowlers in the history of the international game.
He currently sits eighth in the all-time list for Test match wickets and played a crucial role in securing his country’s second global 50-over title in 2011.
A major coup for the expanding franchise league
The US-based competition has previously attracted high-profile international stars including South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult.
However, securing a legendary figure from the subcontinent marks a genuine breakthrough moment for the six-team franchise system.
“This will be the first time he’s played in a major global franchise competition outside of India,” said MLC chief executive Johnny Grave.
“For us to be the first league to attract a player of this calibre is a testament to how the league’s developed since it was launched back in 2023.”
Capitalising on a booming US audience
The accomplished bowler was previously slated to join Australia’s Big Bash League but was forced to withdraw following a knee injury that required surgery.
He now steps into a market that recently co-hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup to record-breaking domestic crowds.
India’s dramatic group stage victory over Pakistan attracted 34,028 fans to a temporary stadium in New York, setting a new US attendance record for the sport.
American franchise executives hope the enormous social media reach of their newest signing will help further expand that rapidly growing international fanbase.
