Ravichandran Ashwin, the 39-year-old cricket icon, will debut with the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC) this season, becoming the first former Indian national team player in the U.S.-based league. Ashwin, a two-time World Cup medalist and eighth-highest wicket-taker in Test history, cited growing American cricket enthusiasm and his 5.3 million Instagram followers as key motivators for joining. The six-team MLC, featuring franchises in Texas, Los Angeles, and Oakland, will host its inaugural season finale at Oakland Coliseum on July 18.

Ashwin’s decision follows a successful exhibition in Dallas-Fort Worth, where he praised the Asian diaspora’s role in showcasing cricket’s potential in the U.S. The league’s growth aligns with cricket’s resurgence, including its 2028 Olympic debut in Los Angeles after a 128-year gap. The T20 World Cup’s 2024 edition in the U.S. drew 34,000 fans to a New York match, while Team USA’s historic win over Pakistan highlighted rising domestic interest. Ashwin joins stars like Faf du Plessis and Kieron Pollard, further elevating MLC’s global appeal.

The league’s $1.6 billion valuation of the Rajasthan Royals ownership group, led by Broncos owner Rob Walton, underscores cricket’s commercial expansion. Ashwin, who retired from international and IPL cricket last year, emphasized MLC’s role in bridging cricket’s traditional Test format with its modern T20 evolution. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, he believes the sport stands at a pivotal moment for global growth.

Ashwin’s move signals cricket’s strategic push into North America, leveraging $6.02 billion in IPL media rights deals and surging fan engagement. As the league prepares for its third season, stakeholders hope Ashwin’s star power will attract younger audiences and cement cricket’s foothold in the U.S. sports landscape.