Top News

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Major League Cricket campaign has ended after San Francisco Unicorns confirmed that the former India spinner has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2026 season with a right knee injury. The development has also cast uncertainty over his short-term cricket calendar, with Ashwin now racing to regain fitness ahead of the inaugural European T20 Premier League later this summer.

The Unicorns announced on Thursday that veteran Australia seamer Peter Siddle will stay on as Ashwin’s replacement for the rest of the tournament. Ashwin is also due to feature in the ETPL, where he has already been signed by Dublin Guardians — the Rahul Dravid-owned franchise — in a dual role as captain and mentor. With that tournament scheduled to begin in late August, the timeline of his recovery will now be closely monitored.

Ashwin’s MLC stint lasted only one appearance. He played against Texas Super Kings earlier in the season, returning 0 for 24 from two overs, and did not feature again. The latest setback comes after the same knee problem had already disrupted another overseas opportunity, with Ashwin previously missing out on a planned Big Bash League stint with Sydney Thunder after undergoing surgery.

In a statement released by the Unicorns, Ashwin said the injury had left him with no option but to step away from the tournament. Ashwin 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."

Read also: Sai Kishore Returns to County Cricket After Signing Gloucestershire Deal

San Francisco said Ashwin’s exit would be felt beyond his brief on-field role, pointing to the influence he had brought to the dressing room during his short stay with the franchise. General Manager of Cricket Performance Graham Manou described the off-spinner as a major presence within the squad. Manou said,

"Losing a player of Ashwin's quality and stature to a mid-season injury is naturally disappointing. Beyond his performances on the field, he has been an outstanding professional and a tremendous leader within our group. Ashwin has had a real impact on our entire team, and we wish him every success with his recovery."

Co-owner Anand Rajaraman added: "One of our ambitions has always been to bring world-class cricketers and world-class people to the Bay Area. Ashwin has been both, with his impact extending far beyond his performances on the field. We're grateful for the leadership and experience he has shared with our team and wish him every success with his recovery as we continue our pursuit of our first MLC Championship."