Ravichandran Ashwin missed his much-anticipated Major League Cricket (MLC) debut for the San Francisco Unicorns against the Los Angeles Knight Riders. The team management decided not to include him in the playing XI, raising questions about Ravichandran Ashwin's fitness and selection for the tournament opener.
The San Francisco Unicorns suffered a seven-wicket defeat to the Los Angeles Knight Riders in a rain-shortened 14-over match in Dallas. Young South African opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius provided a strong start for the Unicorns, but their bowling attack could not stop a brilliant innings from Colin Munro.
Sports journalist Peter Della Penna explained why Ravichandran Ashwin was left out of the playing XI. He said that the decision was part of the franchise's workload management plan, with the Unicorns scheduled to play back-to-back matches.
"Regarding Ravichandran Ashwin being left out of today's game, a Unicorns team official said afterward that it was a workload management decision by management with Unicorns playing back-to-back again tomorrow. As for Ali Khan missing out for LAKR, a team official said he has a hand injury," Peter Della Penna reported on X.
Regarding Ashwin being left out of today's game, a Unicorns team official said afterward that it was a workload management decision by management with Unicorns playing back-to-back again tomorrow. As for Ali Khan missing out for LAKR, a team official said he has a hand injury.
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) June 20, 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin made history by signing for the San Francisco Unicorns in the fourth season of MLC. He became the first former India international to feature in the tournament. Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024 and stepped away from the IPL in 2025.
Before joining the Unicorns, Ravichandran Ashwin had signed for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League. However, a knee injury that required surgery ruled him out of the competition.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius Powers San Francisco Unicorns to Competitive Total
The rain-shortened 14-over match forced both teams to adjust their plans early. Batting first, the San Francisco Unicorns got off to a flying start through openers Finn Allen and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. The pair attacked from the first over and raced past the 50-run mark in just 4.3 overs.
Pretorius starred with the bat, smashing 58 runs off 28 balls. The young South African hit four fours and five sixes during his explosive knock, helping the Unicorns cross 100 runs by the ninth over. Matthew Short also chipped in with valuable runs to strengthen the innings.
However, the Los Angeles Knight Riders fought back brilliantly in the closing stages. Carmi le Roux, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, and Shadley van Schalkwyk bowled tight lines and conceded only 27 runs in the final four overs, preventing the Unicorns from posting an even bigger total.
Colin Munro's Unbeaten Fifty Guides LA Knight Riders to Victory
Chasing 151, the Los Angeles Knight Riders made a flying start through Colin Munro and Andre Fletcher. The opening pair added 50 runs in just 24 balls and put immediate pressure on the San Francisco Unicorns. Fletcher scored a quick 34 before his dismissal, while Munro continued to lead the chase.
LA Knight Riders needed 52 runs from the final four overs. Jason Holder changed the momentum in the 11th over by attacking Haris Rauf. The West Indies all-rounder smashed two sixes and a four, collecting 23 runs from the over and putting his team in control.
Munro remained unbeaten on 64 off 40 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes as LA Knight Riders sealed a seven-wicket win with two balls to spare. The defeat left the San Francisco Unicorns searching for their first victory.
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