Ashwin’s Next Big Move? Silicon Valley Cricket

Indiaspora Founder and Board Chairman, MR Rangaswami, talks with prolific Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, the San Francisco Unicorn’s newest spinner. The Unicorns will play their first Major Leage Cricket match of the season this Friday in Grand Prairie, Texas. The 4th season of Major League Cricket is underway! Check out the full schedule here.

MR: What attracted you to join the San Francisco Unicorns?

Ashwin: The Unicorns presented a vision that went beyond simply signing a player. From my very first conversations with the owners and leadership group, it was clear they are building something with a long-term mindset. They are incredibly data-driven, thoughtful in their approach, and had a clear understanding of how I could contribute both on and off the field. It felt like a natural fit from the outset.

MR: What excites you most about Major League Cricket and the growth of cricket in the United States?

Ashwin: Cricket in the United States is at a really exciting stage. There is a genuine opportunity to introduce the sport to new audiences while also engaging the large cricket-loving communities already here. Major League Cricket has the potential to become an important part of the global cricket landscape, and it’s exciting to be involved at this stage of its journey.

MR: How do you see technology and data continuing to shape the future of cricket?

Ashwin: Technology is already playing a significant role in cricket, and I think that will only continue to grow. From team building and player development through to performance analysis and training feedback, data and technology can help players and teams make better decisions and continually improve. The teams that embrace these tools effectively will have a real advantage.

About R Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin is a former Indian international cricketer and one of the most prolific spin bowlers in the history of the sport. Representing India from 2010 until his international retirement in December 2024, the Chennai-born off-spinner claimed 537 Test wickets, the second-most by an Indian bowler, and became one of only three players in Test history to achieve the rare double of 500 wickets and 3,000 runs in Test cricket.

Ashwin’s craft was shaped on the streets of Chennai, where tennis-ball cricket helped him develop the tricks, variations, and fearless experimentation that later became his trademark. Known as one of cricket’s great thinkers, he built a career on outsmarting batters with sharp tactics, masterful control, and a deep understanding of the game. His arsenal includes the carrom ball, arm ball, and subtle changes of pace, making him one of the defining spinners of his generation.

A crucial member of India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy-winning squads, Ashwin earned the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2016 and the prestigious Padma Shri in 2025. He also enjoyed a distinguished franchise career, including two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings, and became known as an innovator willing to challenge cricket’s conventions. Ashwin now brings his experience and tactical mind to the San Francisco Unicorns for the fourth season of Major League Cricket, marking a milestone as one of the most decorated Indian internationals to join the league.