The San Francisco Unicorns represent Silicon Valley’s innovative spirit in American cricket as one of the six founding franchises of Major League Cricket (MLC). Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, this professional Twenty20 team launched in 2023 with tech industry backing and championship ambitions, bringing IPL-style cricket to the USA.
The team merges international cricket talent with Silicon Valley entrepreneurship. Head coach Shane Watson and captain Corey Anderson guide the squad’s strategic approach, creating an exciting brand of cricket that Indian fans will find familiar.
Chennai-born tech entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, co-founders of Cambrian Ventures, own the franchise. These Indian-American success stories bring their Silicon Valley expertise to establish cricket in America’s technology hub, where thousands of Indian tech professionals reside.
You’ll explore how the team has evolved through its early seasons, the international stars who define the roster, and the competitive dynamics shaping Bay Area cricket. From their unicorn branding to reaching the 2024 final, the Unicorns’ journey showcases cricket’s appeal in Northern California.
Table of Contents
Overview of San Francisco Unicorns Cricket Team
The Unicorns is one of Major League Cricket’s original franchises, established in 2023 and owned by tech entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan. The team reached the MLC final in 2024 and continues building a strong presence in Bay Area sports.
History and Formation
San Francisco Unicorns launched in 2023 as one of the six inaugural MLC franchises. Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Rajaraman and Harinarayan acquired the franchise rights through their company Cambrian Ventures, continuing their journey from Chennai to Silicon Valley success.
The co-owners first met as Stanford graduate students in 1993 and built successful tech companies together, including Junglee (acquired by Amazon) and Kosmix (acquired by Walmart). They were also early investors in Facebook, representing the Indian diaspora’s remarkable achievements in Silicon Valley.
Both born in Chennai (then Madras), Rajaraman and Harinarayan grew up as passionate cricket fans. They followed Indian cricket religiously, even using early Cricinfo to track India’s famous 2001 Test series victory against Australia while studying in the USA.
In March 2023, the franchise partnered with Cricket Victoria from Australia for their inaugural season. This collaboration brought Australian cricket expertise to help establish the team’s foundation.
The team unveiled their name and logo in March 2023, choosing “Unicorns” to reflect Silicon Valley’s business culture where the term describes startups valued over $1 billion. The orange and blue colors created a distinct Bay Area identity.
Key Achievements and Milestones
San Francisco Unicorns quickly emerged as tournament contenders, reaching the MLC final in just their second season. They demonstrated consistent improvement from their inaugural campaign.
Notable Season Performances:
- 2023: Finished 5th with 2 wins, missing playoffs on net run rate
- 2024: Reached the Championship final as runners-up
- 2025: Started strong with 4 consecutive wins to top the table
The 2024 season marked their breakthrough year. Under Pat Cummins’ leadership, they advanced through the playoffs to reach the championship game against Washington Freedom.
The 2025 season began impressively with the Unicorns winning their first four matches. Players like Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk delivered match-winning performances, establishing the team as early title favorites.
Historic moments include hosting MLC’s first West Coast matches at Oakland Coliseum in 2025, bringing top-level cricket to Northern California for the first time.
Identity, Branding and Fanbase
San Francisco Unicorns’ brand perfectly captures Silicon Valley’s innovation culture. The unicorn symbolizes both mythical achievement and billion-dollar startup success, resonating with the Bay Area’s tech community where many Indian professionals have built successful careers.
The franchise leverages its Silicon Valley connections through ownership and investor network. Tech leaders and Hollywood figures have invested in the team, creating unique marketing opportunities that appeal to the large Indian-American community in the Bay Area.
International star signings elevate the team’s profile. Players like Pat Cummins (on a four-year deal), Matt Short, and Finn Allen attract global cricket fans, while the team’s style mirrors the aggressive T20 approach Indian fans love from the IPL.
Playing at the historic Oakland Coliseum from 2025 gives them a genuine home advantage. The venue’s proximity to areas with high Indian population density like Fremont, San Jose, and Cupertino ensures strong desi support during home matches.
Current Squad and Key Players
The The SF squad for Major League Cricket 2025 combines Australian firepower, American talent, and international experience across all cricket disciplines.
Player Profiles: Pat Cummins and Other Stars
Pat Cummins stands as the franchise’s marquee signing on a four-year contract. The Australian Test and ODI captain brings world-class fast bowling and leadership after taking over from retired Aaron Finch.
Cummins’ pace bowling and death-overs expertise make him invaluable in T20 cricket. His captaincy experience with Australia adds strategic depth to the Unicorns’ approach.
Corey Anderson serves as team captain, bringing USA cricket experience and all-round abilities. The former New Zealand international provides stability in the middle order and useful medium-pace bowling.
Matt Short emerged as a key player with explosive batting at the top of the order. His quick-fire fifties have set the tone for several Unicorns victories in the powerplay overs.
Jake Fraser-McGurk adds youthful Australian talent to the batting lineup. His aggressive approach and ability to accelerate scoring rates complement the experienced players around him.
Recent Seasons and 2025 Major League Cricket Campaign
Silicon Valley team transformed from playoff near-misses to championship contenders, reaching the 2024 final before starting the 2025 season as early pacesetters with an unbeaten streak.
Performance in Major League Cricket 2024
San Francisco Unicorns’ 2024 campaign marked their arrival as genuine title contenders. The team showed remarkable improvement from their debut season to reach the tournament final.
Pat Cummins’ arrival transformed the bowling attack’s potency. His leadership and world-class skills provided the foundation for a successful playoff run.
The batting unit found consistency with contributions throughout the order. Local players like Hassan Khan and Sanjay Krishnamurthi emerged as valuable contributors alongside the international stars.
Reaching the final validated the franchise’s patient team-building approach. Their consistent performances and star-studded lineup have made the The Unicorns increasingly popular among bettors, with sportsbooks often offering competitive odds on their matches due to their championship pedigree. Though they fell short against Washington Freedom, the runner-up finish established them as a force in American cricket.
2025 Fixtures and Schedule
The 2025 Major League Cricket season brought historic moments for the Unicorns, playing their first true home matches at Oakland Coliseum. The expanded 34-match schedule provided more opportunities to build momentum, similar to the IPL format Indian fans know well.
San Francisco Unicorns opened at home on June 12 against Washington Freedom in a championship final rematch. This marquee fixture launched MLC’s West Coast expansion, bringing IPL-style entertainment to thousands of cricket-starved Indian fans in Northern California.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | Washington Freedom | Oakland Coliseum | Home – Season Opener |
| June 14 | LA Knight Riders | Oakland Coliseum | Home – California Derby |
| June 15 | MI New York | Oakland Coliseum | Home – Father’s Day Special |
| June 18 | Texas Super Kings | Grand Prairie Stadium | Away |
| June 22 | Seattle Orcas | Oakland Coliseum | Home |
| June 26 | Washington Freedom | Broward County Stadium | Away |
| July 2 | MI New York | Grand Prairie Stadium | Away |
| July 5 | LA Knight Riders | Grand Prairie Stadium | Away – Return Fixture |
| July 8 | Texas Super Kings | Oakland Coliseum | Home |
Home matches against LA Knight Riders (June 14) and MI New York (June 15, Father’s Day) created a festival atmosphere at the Coliseum. Nine total MLC matches at the venue showcased cricket to Bay Area fans, with Indian food stalls and dhol performances adding familiar flavors.
The team also played at MLC’s flagship Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas and Broward County Stadium in Florida, maintaining connections with established cricket venues where Indian communities have strong presence.
Results and Standings
San Francisco Unicorns’ 2025 season started brilliantly with four consecutive victories to claim top spot on the table. Their unbeaten run established early momentum in the expanded season.
MLC 2025 Key Results:
- Won season opener against Washington Freedom at Oakland Coliseum
- Matt Short and Fraser-McGurk fifties powered past MI New York by 47 runs
- Defeated Texas Super Kings as Short and Allen’s fifties topped du Plessis’ century
- Maintained unbeaten record through first four matches
- Secured early playoff qualification with consistent performances
The bowling attack proved particularly effective, with Pat Cummins leading from the front. Matt Henry and other pace bowlers consistently took wickets in crucial phases.
Despite losing their first match to Washington Freedom later in the season, the Unicorns remained at the top of the table. Their superior net run rate kept them ahead of Freedom who matched their points tally. This consistent performance and strong net run rate make the San Francisco Unicorns an attractive betting option for those wagering on MLC matches, as their reliability and star-studded lineup often justify their favorable odds.
The team’s home debut at Oakland Coliseum proved successful, winning matches in front of enthusiastic Bay Area crowds discovering top-level cricket.
Rivalries and Historical Matches
San Francisco Unicorns are building competitive rivalries across MLC, with their tournament credentials creating intense matchups against established squad, particularly their 2024 final opponents Washington Freedom.
Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns
The rivalry with Washington Freedom intensified after their 2024 championship final meeting. The 2025 season opener at Oakland Coliseum featured a rematch that launched both teams’ campaigns.
These teams have traded victories in high-stakes encounters. The Unicorns’ home debut victory over Freedom showed their ability to perform under pressure with local support.
Both franchises represent ambitious MLC markets – tech hub versus nation’s capital. Their contrasting styles create compelling matchups with Freedom’s experience against Unicorns’ innovation.
The 2024 final established this as a marquee rivalry. Future meetings carry championship implications as both squad consistently compete for titles.
Texas Super Kings vs San Francisco Unicorns
Matches against Texas Super Kings showcase contrasting franchise philosophies – Chennai Super Kings’ traditional approach versus Silicon Valley innovation. The Unicorns have enjoyed success in this matchup.
In 2025, the Unicorns defeated TSK despite Faf du Plessis scoring a century. Matt Short and Finn Allen’s explosive batting proved too much for the Super Kings’ bowlers.
The fixture attracts significant attention due to both teams‘ strong ownership groups. CSK’s cricket pedigree meets Silicon Valley’s disruptive approach in entertaining contests.
Early encounters suggest the Unicorns match up well against TSK’s spin-heavy approach, with their aggressive batting style countering traditional T20 tactics.
MI New York vs San Francisco Unicorns
The coastal rivalry between tech hub and financial capital creates natural storylines. Both teams feature star-studded lineups and ambitious ownership groups, reminiscent of Mumbai Indians’ rivalry with other IPL franchises.
San Francisco’s 47-run victory in 2025 demonstrated their batting depth. Quick fifties from Short and Fraser-McGurk overwhelmed MI New York’s bowling attack at Oakland Coliseum, thrilling the Indian diaspora crowd.
The matchup often produces high-scoring games with both teams favoring aggressive batting approaches. International stars on both sides elevate the quality and entertainment value, matching IPL’s excitement levels.
Geographic and cultural rivalry between Silicon Valley and New York adds extra spice. Tech versus finance creates compelling narratives for American sports fans, while Indian supporters naturally gravitate toward the Silicon Valley team due to community connections.
Los Angeles Knight Riders vs SF
The California derby between the Unicorns and Knight Riders represents an emerging West Coast rivalry. Both teams play home matches in California, creating natural geographic competition.
San Francisco has dominated early encounters, with the Knight Riders’ struggles preventing competitive matches. The Unicorns’ superior team balance has been evident in these fixtures.
The June 14, 2025 meeting at Oakland Coliseum was circled by both fanbases. California cricket fans enjoyed their first local MLC rivalry match on home soil.
As both franchises develop, this rivalry should intensify. The battle for California cricket supremacy between Hollywood and Silicon Valley offers marketing potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to know about San Francisco Unicorns’ players, ownership, home ground, or latest results? Here’s everything about this exciting MLC franchise.
Who owns the San Francisco Unicorns cricket team?
The SFU are owned by Chennai-born Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan. These tech pioneers co-founded Cambrian Ventures and have been business partners since meeting at Stanford in 1993.
The owners previously founded successful companies like Junglee (sold to Amazon) and Kosmix (sold to Walmart). They were also early Facebook investors, representing the Indian diaspora’s remarkable success story in Silicon Valley that inspires countless Indian techies.
Where do the SFU play home matches?
San Francisco Unicorns play home matches at the historic Oakland Coliseum starting in 2025. The venue, which previously hosted the Oakland Athletics and Raiders, has been configured for cricket and is easily accessible from Indian-populated areas like Fremont and San Jose.
The franchise also has plans for a dedicated cricket stadium at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. This proposed 15,000-seat facility would give the team a permanent Bay Area home designed specifically for cricket, similar to iconic Indian venues like Wankhede or Eden Gardens.
Who is the captain of San Francisco Unicorns?
Corey Anderson captains the The SF squad in 2025. The USA all-rounder brings international experience from his New Zealand career and strong leadership qualities to guide the team.
Pat Cummins serves as the franchise’s marquee international player on a four-year contract. The Australian captain’s presence adds world-class quality and strategic insight to the squad.
What are the team colors of The Unicorns?
The San Francisco Unicorns sport orange and blue as their official team colors. These vibrant colors reflect the Bay Area’s energetic culture and create a distinctive identity in Major League Cricket.
The unicorn logo symbolizes both mythical achievement and Silicon Valley’s billion-dollar startup culture. This clever branding connects the team to its tech hub home market
How did San Francisco Unicorns perform in MLC 2024?
San Francisco Unicorns reached the MLC Championship final in 2024, finishing as runners-up to Washington Freedom. This marked a significant improvement from their inaugural season, establishing them as title contenders in a tournament that’s bringing IPL-style excitement to America.
The team’s journey to the final included impressive playoff victories. Under Pat Cummins’ leadership and Shane Watson’s coaching, they demonstrated the consistency needed for championship cricket, making Bay Area’s Indian community proud of their local team.
