Ashwin becomes first India international to join US MLC

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to become the first India international to take part in U.S.-based Major League Cricket (MLC), after San Francisco Unicorns announced his signing for the Twenty20 competition’s 2026 season on Saturday.

Ashwin becomes first India international to join US Major League https://t.co/4kyouRVYYY https://t.co/4kyouRVYYY

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2026

Ashwin, who represented India in 287 matches across formats and claimed 765 wickets, retired from international cricket in 2024 and brought the curtain down on his Indian Premier League (IPL) career last year. The 39-year-old remains India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, behind Anil Kumble.The off-spinner was earlier set to play for Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League but had to miss out due to a knee injury.
Expressing his excitement about the new chapter, Ashwin said, “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.”The upcoming season will mark the fourth edition of Major League Cricket, which is scheduled to begin on June 18, as the league continues to expand its global appeal with high-profile signings like Ashwin.