Ashwin ruled out of the remainder of MLC 2026 with a knee injury, Siddle named replacement

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of the remainder of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 with a right knee injury, bringing a premature and disappointing end to his much-anticipated debut campaign in the United States. The San Francisco Unicorns confirmed the setback, with veteran Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle named as his replacement for the rest of the tournament.

The injury cut short what had been billed as a landmark stint for one of India's most decorated cricketers, whose arrival was widely viewed as a significant boost for the growth of the game in North America.

A stint that never got going

Ashwin's time in the competition proved frustratingly brief. The 39-year-old featured in just one match this season, turning out against the Texas Super Kings in Dallas on June 20, where he bowled two wicketless overs and conceded 24 runs before the knee problem intervened.

His signing had generated considerable hype, marking him as one of the highest-profile Indian players to join an overseas franchise since stepping away from the international and domestic game. Sadly, injury ensured that promise went largely unfulfilled on the field.

Ashwin's disappointment

The spin great was candid about his frustration in a statement released by the franchise. He admitted he was disappointed to end the season early, but accepted that the injury made stepping away the right decision.

He went on to express his affection for his time with the Unicorns, thanking his team-mates, the coaching staff, the wider organisation and the fans for their support, and vowed to cheer the side on for the remainder of the competition from the sidelines.

A recurring knee problem

This is not the first time a knee issue has interrupted Ashwin's franchise commitments. The same injury had previously cost him a planned Big Bash League debut with Sydney Thunder, a stint that fell through after he required surgery.

The problem has, in effect, kept him out of competitive cricket for a significant period. He had not played a match since captaining Dindigul Dragons to the Tamil Nadu Premier League title in July 2025, before the injury, sustained during a training session in Chennai, derailed his comeback plans. Team officials confirmed he is returning home to begin his rehabilitation.

Siddle steps in

To bolster their attack, the Unicorns have brought in the experienced Peter Siddle, whose signing was approved by the tournament's technical committee. The Australian is no stranger to the setup, having already impressed earlier in the season while serving as cover for compatriots Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie.

In Ashwin's absence, the Unicorns have leaned on captain Matt Short, who has become the team's leading wicket-taker, sharing the spin duties with rookie wristspinner Anirudh Immanuel and left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Hassan Khan.

Unicorns still flying high

Despite losing a player of Ashwin's calibre, San Francisco remain in an excellent position. The franchise sits top of the MLC points table, having won five of their opening eight matches, and continues its push towards the playoffs.

General Manager of Cricket Performance Graham Manou described losing a player of Ashwin's quality and stature mid-season as naturally disappointing, praising him as an outstanding professional and a tremendous leader within the group, while wishing him well with his recovery.

Eyes on the next challenge

Attention will now turn to how quickly Ashwin can regain full fitness ahead of his next major assignment. He is set to captain and mentor the Dublin Guardians — a franchise owned by former India head coach Rahul Dravid — in the inaugural European T20 Premier League.

Signed as one of the tournament's direct overseas picks, Ashwin will be racing against time to be ready for the six-team competition, which runs from August 26 to September 20 across venues in Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.

The final word

For Ashwin and his admirers, the abrupt end to his MLC adventure is a genuine disappointment, robbing the tournament of one of the finest spinners of the modern era. The priority now is a clean bill of health, with his sights set firmly on the European T20 Premier League. For the Unicorns, the show goes on, as a settled and in-form squad continues its strong pursuit of silverware.