Ravichandran Ashwin is set to make history as the first India-capped international player to feature in Major League Cricket (MLC) after signing with the San Francisco Unicorns for the 2026 season.

Ashwin bid adieu to international cricket in December 2024, midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He represented India in 106 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 65 T20Is, picking up 765 wickets across all formats.

The off-spinner finished his career as the country’s second highest wicket-taker (537 scalps) in Test cricket, only behind Anil Kumble’s record tally of 619 dismissals. He was also part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winning teams.

Ashwin, who became eligible to play in overseas league after announcing his IPL retirement last year, expressed excitement about playing in the United States.

“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,” said Ashwin in a statement.

Ashwin brings vast T20 experience, having finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL history with 187 scalps in 221 matches. He was also signed by Sydney Thunder for the 2025-26 Big Bash League season, but an unfortunate knee injury ruled him out of the tournament.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome a player of Ashwin’s stature to the Unicorns. When you talk about match-winners and cricketing intelligence, his name is at the top of the list around the world.

“Bringing in the first Indian-capped player is a massive moment for our franchise and MLC as a whole, but first and foremost, he’s joining to help us win games. His experience in high-pressure situations and his skill variations will be invaluable on the pitch and in the nets, and I can’t wait to get into camp and start working with him,” San Francisco Unicorns head coach Cameron White said.

San Francisco Unicorns have already retained key overseas names such as Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Finn Allen and Haris Rauf, along with domestic players Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Hassan Khan, Brody Couch, Juanoy Drysdale and Hammad Azam.

The Unicorns will open their campaign on June 19 against LA Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium near Dallas, Texas.