Ravichandran Ashwin’s first season in Major League Cricket has come to an unexpected end, as the former Indian off-spinner has been sidelined for the rest of MLC 2026 due to a right knee injury.
This news is a tough blow for both Ashwin and the San Francisco Unicorns, who had hoped his experience would bolster their campaign.
In his place, Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has been brought in after making a strong impression while stepping in for Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie. Ashwin only managed to play one match this season, where he recorded figures of 0 for 24 in two overs against the Texas Super Kings in Dallas on June 20.
The spinning wizard expressed his disappointment about having to leave the tournament early. He said, ‘I’m disappointed to end the season early, but unfortunately this injury means that’s the right decision. I’ve truly loved my time with the San Francisco Unicorns and will be cheering the boys on for the rest of the tournament. Thank you to my teammates, the coaching staff, everyone across the San Francisco Unicorns organization, and all the Unicorns fans for your incredible support.”
He also promised to keep cheering for the team for the rest of the competition.
Ravichandran Ashwin Set To Lead Dublin Guardians In ETPL
With his MLC campaign wrapped up, Ashwin will now focus on his recovery before gearing up for the inaugural European T20 Premier League set to kick off later this year. The legendary Indian spinner has been named captain and mentor of the Dublin Guardians, one of the six teams participating in this exciting new ICC-sanctioned league that will take place across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands from late August to September.
This move marks another significant chapter in Ashwin’s career after he hung up his international boots in December 2024 and stepped away from the IPL following the 2025 season. The Dublin Guardians, owned by former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, have landed one of the biggest stars in world cricket as they prepare for the league’s debut season.
Ashwin is joining a stellar lineup of players that features Faf du Plessis, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Tim David, Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, Finn Allen, and Mitchell Santner. The six-team tournament will also showcase the Amsterdam Flames, Edinburgh Castle Rockers, Irish Wolves, Glasgow Cosmics, and Rotterdam Dockers, marking a thrilling new chapter in European cricket’s franchise landscape.