SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian cricketer, has signed a contract to play for the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket, as announced by the team on Saturday.
Major League Cricket, which emulates the successful Indian Premier League, is an annual Twenty20 tournament aimed at expanding cricket’s presence in the United States and will commence on June 18.
Ashwin’s Career Highlights
The 39-year-old allrounder concluded his international cricket career in December 2024, having participated in 106 Test matches for India, where he took 537 wickets and scored six centuries.
In the T20 format, Ashwin has made 65 international appearances and has previously played for franchises including the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
Significance of the Signing
The Unicorns have stated that Ashwin will be the first player with India caps to compete in the league, which spans a month and features six teams.
“Signed for his world-class spin bowling and strong tactical acumen, Ashwin brings the Unicorns a significant leadership asset on and off the pitch, as well as being a household name set to thrill Major League Cricket and resonate strongly with the Bay Area’s large South Asian community,” the team expressed in their announcement.
Ashwin’s Commitment
Ashwin expressed his dedication to the team, stating, “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.”
League Structure and Future Prospects
The league consists of six teams, including the Unicorns, Los Angeles Knight Riders, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings, MI New York, and Washington Freedom. Matches will be held at three venues: Grand Prairie Stadium near Dallas, the Oakland Coliseum, and Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona, California.
Several teams in Major League Cricket have connections to IPL ownership, and American investors are also acquiring stakes in two IPL teams. Notably, cricket has been included in the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.