Ravichandran Ashwin has become the first Indian-capped player to be signed to the Major League Cricket (MLC). The American franchise cricket league has been growing in popularity, with Australia Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins signing a 4-year deal in June 2024.
“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,” Ashwin said in a statement.
Ashwin to play alongside Pakistan cricketers
Ashwin has signed up with the San Francisco Unicorns. The franchise with which Cummins is associated as well. However, the biggest talking point will be that Ashwin will share the dressing room with several Pakistani cricketers.
Haris Rauf, Hammad Azam, and Hassan Khan, all three of whom are currently playing the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026, will play alongside the Indian spinner for the Unicorns in MLC 2026. However, only Haris among them represents Pakistan, while the other two are American citizens now.
Whenever there’s a potential tie between India and Pakistan cricket, controversy is stirred up. The most recent was when the Sunrisers Leeds, sister franchise of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, bought Pakistani leg spinner Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred 2026 auction.
So strong was the reaction that the owners were labelled as those responsible for the loss of Indian lives in the future if Pakistan attacks India. That too by none other than Sunil Gavaskar. It’ll be fascinating to see what reaction Ashwin gets and whether he bows down to the online pressure that’ll mount on him.
Franchise debut after IPL retirement
This will be Ashwin’s first franchise league outside of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Having retired from international cricket in December 2024, Ashwin retired from the IPL after the 2025 season. He signed up to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 for Sydney Thunder but was ruled out because of a knee injury.
San Francisco Unicorns squad for MLC 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin✈️, Haris Rauf✈️, Finn Allen✈️, Matt Short (c)✈️, Brody Couch, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Juanoy Drysdale, Hammad Azam, Cooper Connolly✈️, Xavier Bartlett✈️
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