Ravichandran Ashwin ruled out of remaining MLC 2026 matches with knee injury

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of the remainder of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 season due to a right knee injury. Ashwin featured in only one match for the San Francisco Unicorns this season, playing against the Texas Super Kings on June 20 in Dallas.

In that game, he bowled two overs, conceding 24 runs without taking a wicket. To strengthen their bowling attack, the Unicorns have signed experienced Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle as Ashwin’s replacement. Siddle has already made a strong impression while serving as cover for injured Australians Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie.

Since Ashwin’s absence, Unicorns captain Matt Short has taken greater responsibility with the ball and is currently the team’s leading wicket-taker. He has shared the spin duties with promising rookie wristspinner Anirudh Immanuel and left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Hassan Khan as the team continues its campaign in the tournament.

"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 team-mates, the coaching staff, everyone across the San Francisco Unicorns organisation, and all the Unicorns fans for your incredible support,” Ashwin said in a statement as quoted by Cricinfo.

It's a crossover into what I'd like to do next: Ashwin

Ashwin's next assignment is expected to be the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), where he will captain and mentor the Dublin Guardians, one of the six franchises in the tournament. The competition is scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 20 across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.

Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024 before bringing the curtain down on his Indian Premier League career at the end of the 2025 season. Despite his absence, the Unicorns have enjoyed an impressive campaign and currently lead the MLC 2026 points table with five wins from eight matches.