In form of 2026 Major League Cricket (MLC) The season has entered its crucial mid-stage, table-toppers san francisco unicorn There has been a major setback in his attempt to regain the title. The franchise has confirmed that the legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Will not be able to play the remaining matches of the tournament due to right knee injury. With the race to the playoffs heating up and the importance of every match increasing, it is a blow to lose an experienced campaigner like Ashwin, even if he has played only once this season. The Unicorns have acted quickly by bringing in the experienced Australian fast bowler as Ashwin’s replacement for the remainder of the competition.
Ravichandran Ashwin ruled out of remainder of MLC 2026
Ashwin’s much-awaited debut season in Major League Cricket has come to an abrupt end as the San Francisco Unicorns have confirmed that the former India international has been ruled out with a right knee injury. The 39-year-old created history earlier this year when he signed with the Unicorns, becoming one of the biggest Indian names to represent an overseas franchise after retiring from Indian cricket. His arrival was seen as a historic moment for the MLC, highlighting the league’s growing appeal and ambition to attract some of the game’s most accomplished players.
However, Ashwin’s stay in the competition proved to be short-lived. He appeared in just one match, against Texas Super Kings, where he bowled two overs, conceded 24 runs and was unable to take a wicket. Announcing the news, the San Francisco Unicorns acknowledged that supporters would feel disappointed, while also expressing hope that the veteran spinner would return to the franchise in the future.
The franchise wished Ashwin a speedy recovery and thanked him for his contributions during his brief stint with the team. Reacting to the setback, Ashwin admitted that he was disappointed that his campaign ended early, but admitted that withdrawing due to injury was the right decision. He also expressed his gratitude to his teammates, coaching staff, franchise officials and supporters for making his time with the Unicorns a memorable experience. Ashwin said that although he will no longer be available on the field, he will continue to encourage the team to win the MLC title.
The latest setback comes after another knee-related issue that had earlier forced Ashwin to withdraw from the Big Bash League. It’s unclear whether the current injury is related to that previous problem.
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Ashwin’s replacement announced
To fill the void left by Ashwin, San Francisco Unicorns have signed the experienced Australian fast bowler Peter Siddall For the remainder of MLC 2026.
The tournament organizers have officially approved Siddle as Ashwin’s replacement, allowing the experienced seamer to join the team immediately. Siddle has years of international and franchise cricket experience, giving the Unicorns another experienced campaigner to prepare for the crucial stages of the tournament. Despite Ashwin’s absence, Unicorns are in a strong position. They currently top the six-team standings with five wins from eight matches and are in a good position to seal a place in the playoffs.
With Siddle now joining the squad, the franchise will hope that his experience and ability with the new ball can strengthen their bowling attack as they look to maintain their momentum and strive for their first Major League Cricket title.