MLC 2026 brings Ravichandran Ashwin to San Francisco as Oakland hosts playoffs

Ashwin joins a growing MLC field

Major League Cricket is set for its fourth season, with six teams competing across a 34-match schedule as the US-based T20 league continues to expand. The San Francisco Unicorns have added former India spinner R Ashwin, described in the source as the first retired India international to play in the competition.

Ashwin joins a field featuring Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Faf du Plessis, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Matt Short, Finn Allen and Shimron Hetmyer.

Oakland to stage the decisive matches

Each team is scheduled to play 10 league matches in a double round-robin format. The top four will qualify for the playoffs, with the postseason and final set to take place at the Oakland Coliseum. The venue hosted league matches for the first time last year and is now positioned as the tournament’s playoff centrepiece.

Defending champions MI New York will seek a third title, while last season’s runners-up Washington Freedom return aiming to go one step further. Texas Super Kings and San Francisco Unicorns are also identified as contenders, with Seattle Orcas and Los Angeles Knight Riders chasing their first championship.

The five-week competition brings together established international names and emerging players, as MLC continues to build its profile in North America.