Two of Major League Cricket’s most compelling franchises. One carries the pedigree of a Chennai Super Kings bloodline.
The other runs on Bay Area ambition and fearless batting. Through five meetings across four MLC seasons, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, a genuine rivalry has taken root.
San Francisco Unicorns hold a dominant 4-1 advantage over Texas Super Kings in the head-to-head record. Their winning streak of four consecutive matches tells a story worth unpacking from every angle.
SFU vs TSK Head to Head – Overall Record at a Glance
Before diving into the detail, here is the complete snapshot of how these two sides stack up across all five meetings in MLC history.
| Stat | San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) | Texas Super Kings (TSK) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 5 | 5 |
| Won | 4 | 1 |
| Lost | 1 | 4 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
| Highest Score | 202 | 198 |
| Lowest Score | 127 | 128 |
| Total Centuries | 1 | 1 |
| Toss Won | 2 | 3 |
| Won Batting First | 2 | 0 |
| Won Toss & Match | 2 | 1 |
San Francisco have won four of the five encounters, with all four victories coming back-to-back after Texas claimed the first meeting in 2023. The toss has barely mattered, SFU have won even when TSK called it right.
The Origins: Two Franchises Built to Win
Understanding this rivalry requires knowing the DNA of both franchises.
Texas Super Kings — The CSK Family in Dallas
The Texas Super Kings were born with instant credibility. A sister franchise of Chennai Super Kings, TSK brought the Super Kings philosophy — star power, discipline, and a culture of winning, to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Stephen Fleming took charge as head coach, with Faf du Plessis as captain. Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, and Dwayne Bravo arrived from the CSK ecosystem to complete a formidable lineup.
Key qualities that define TSK as a franchise:
- CSK ownership and culture: The Chennai connection gives them access to world-class players and tactical blueprints
- Home ground advantage: Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas seats 7,200 and expands to 15,000 for major events
- Consistent playoff presence: TSK have qualified for the post-season in every MLC edition
- Star-studded batting: Faf du Plessis, Devon Conway, and David Miller have formed some of the most destructive top orders in the competition
San Francisco Unicorns — Bay Area’s Fearless Outfit
The Unicorns carry the spirit of San Francisco — bold, unconventional, and relentless. Based at the Oakland Coliseum, their early years were modest; they finished fifth in 2023 with just two wins. But the rebuild was swift and smart. Pat Cummins arrived on a four-year deal, Matthew Short and Finn Allen anchored the batting, and their attack was sharpened with Peter Siddle, Xavier Bartlett, and Haris Rauf.
Key qualities that define SFU as a franchise:
- Aggressive batting identity: SFU post and chase big totals regularly, with a 197.4 average runs per match in their last five games
- Smart overseas recruitment: Pat Cummins, Finn Allen, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Ravichandran Ashwin give them incredible depth
- Home at Oakland Coliseum: The only MLC franchise with a West Coast home ground
- String of consistent seasons: Finished third in MLC 2025 with seven wins from ten matches
SFU vs TSK Match-by-Match Results: All Five Encounters
Every meeting between these two sides has been competitive, but the momentum has swung decisively toward the Unicorns over time.
| Sr.No. | Season | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MLC 2023 | Texas Super Kings | 3 wickets | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 2 | MLC 2024 (Match 7) | Texas Super Kings | 7 wickets | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 3 | MLC 2024 (Challenger) | San Francisco Unicorns | 10 runs | Grand Prairie Stadium |
| 4 | MLC 2025 (Match 10) | San Francisco Unicorns | 7 wickets | Central Broward Regional Park |
| 5 | MLC 2025 (Match 25) | San Francisco Unicorns | 1 run | Central Broward Regional Park |
| 6 | MLC 2026 (Match 4) | San Francisco Unicorns | 7 wickets | Grand Prairie Stadium |
Note: The reference source lists five completed meetings in MLC, with SFU winning four and TSK winning one.
Season-by-Season Breakdown: How the Rivalry Has Evolved
MLC 2023 — Texas Draw First Blood
The first meeting came in the inaugural MLC season. Texas, stacked with CSK talent and backed by home conditions at Grand Prairie, edged the Unicorns by three wickets. San Francisco were still finding their feet, lacking the batting depth they would later develop. TSK took the points and went on to reach the final that year.
MLC 2024 — A Tale of Two Results
The 2024 season produced two meetings between the sides, and the results were contrasting.
In the first meeting of the year, Texas won comfortably by seven wickets. Their top order proved too powerful for San Francisco’s bowlers, and the chase was completed with ease.
The Challenger match told a very different story. SFU’s batting clicked into gear — posting 202, their highest score against TSK. Texas fought back hard, reaching 198, but fell short by 10 runs. That game showed exactly what San Francisco are capable of when their top order fires in unison.
MLC 2025 — SFU Assert Dominance
The 2025 season was where San Francisco truly stamped their authority on this rivalry. Two wins, one comfortable, one nervy, cemented their control.
In Match 10, Brody Couch struck twice early as SFU bowled TSK out for just 147, their lowest total in the rivalry. The chase was completed in seven-wicket fashion, with Finn Allen, Matthew Short, and Kusal Perera doing the damage with the bat.
Match 25 was an entirely different beast. San Francisco won by just one run in a last-over thriller. Texas needed a single off the final ball and could not get it, a moment that has since become one of the most discussed in MLC’s short history.
MLC 2026 — SFU Win Again, TSK’s Streak Extended to Four
At Grand Prairie Stadium in June 2026, San Francisco made it four straight wins. Texas posted 152/9, with Rilee Rossouw top-scoring on 36. Peter Siddle did the damage with the ball, taking 3/36 to dismantle the TSK middle order.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius then anchored the chase with an unbeaten 69, with Matthew Short adding 31. The target was reached with seven wickets in hand. Texas never looked like winning.
Key Batting and Bowling Records in the SFU vs TSK Rivalry
Batting Milestones
| Record | Team | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | SFU | 202 (MLC 2024 Challenger) |
| Highest TSK Total | TSK | 198 (MLC 2024 Challenger) |
| Lowest SFU Total | SFU | 127 (MLC history) |
| Lowest TSK Total | TSK | 128 (MLC history) |
| Centuries Scored | 1 each | SFU and TSK have one century each in this rivalry |
Notable Individual Performances in This Rivalry
San Francisco Unicorns:
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius — 69* in MLC 2026 to seal a seven-wicket win; the South African has been pivotal in recent encounters
- Peter Siddle — 3/36 in MLC 2026; veteran pacer continues to trouble TSK’s batting order
- Brody Couch — Two early wickets in MLC 2025 to restrict TSK to 147
Texas Super Kings:
- Faf du Plessis — 113* off 52 balls against Seattle Orcas in MLC 2026, though his form against SFU specifically remains one to improve
- Rilee Rossouw — Top scorer for TSK in the MLC 2026 encounter with 36
- Devon Conway — Consistent contributor across MLC seasons for the Super Kings
Toss and Venue Trends in SFU vs TSK Matches
The toss has not been a decisive factor in this rivalry.
- Texas have won the toss three times in five meetings, yet hold only a 1-4 record
- San Francisco have won even when batting on difficult surfaces and chasing challenging targets
- Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas has hosted the majority of matches, giving TSK a home advantage that has rarely translated into results against SFU
- The MLC 2025 matches at Central Broward Regional Park saw SFU win both contests, suggesting the Unicorns adapt well to different surfaces
- MLC 2026 also introduced Oakland Coliseum as a potential future venue for this fixture, with both teams set to meet there in Match 8 of the season
Playing Styles: What Makes This Rivalry So Watchable
The SFU vs TSK rivalry is compelling precisely because of the contrast in team identities.
Texas Super Kings play structured, top-heavy cricket. Their approach mirrors the CSK blueprint — rely on experienced internationals at the top, build through the middle, and back a disciplined bowling group. Faf du Plessis sets the tone, Devon Conway brings calm authority, and Stephen Fleming provides the tactical framework.
San Francisco Unicorns play fearless, high-tempo cricket. They back their openers to attack from ball one, post big totals, and trust the bowling attack to close out games. Matthew Short leads with aggression, Finn Allen provides explosive starts, and Ravichandran Ashwin adds a spin dimension few MLC sides can match.
When SFU’s top order fires, totals balloon. When TSK’s quicks find early movement, the Unicorns can be rattled. That contrast makes every meeting between these two genuinely compelling.
Current Form and 2026 Season Context
Heading into MLC Season 2026, both franchises carry strong expectations but very different trajectories in this head-to-head.
| Category | SFU | TSK |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 League Stage Finish | 3rd (7 wins from 10) | Playoff qualifier |
| MLC 2026 Form | Win in Match 4 vs TSK | Started with win vs Seattle Orcas |
| Captain | Matthew Short | Faf du Plessis |
| Head Coach | — | Stephen Fleming |
| Notable MLC 2026 Addition | Lhuan-dre Pretorius | — |
| Faf du Plessis MLC 2026 | — | 113* off 52 balls vs SO (oldest T20 centurion) |
Faf du Plessis opened MLC 2026 with a stunning 113 off 52 balls against Seattle Orcas, making him the oldest centurion in T20 cricket history. Yet when TSK faced SFU just days later, that form counted for little. San Francisco won comfortably.
San Francisco Unicorns has the Slight Edge in SFU vs TSK Head-to-Head
The numbers leave little room for debate. San Francisco Unicorns have established a clear and growing edge, winning four consecutive meetings after losing the first.
Their batting firepower, venue adaptability, and a bowling unit capable of dismantling TSK cheaply have all played a role. Texas boast bigger individual names and the CSK blueprint behind them, yet they have been unable to solve the SFU puzzle since 2024.
The rivalry is still young, five matches across four MLC seasons, but the pattern is unmistakable. San Francisco are the dominant side.
Texas have the resources and tactical intelligence to turn things around, but they will need to find answers to Pretorius, Short, and Allen before that happens. Until then, the edge belongs firmly to San Francisco, and the next chapter of this American cricket rivalry promises to be one of MLC’s most compelling storylines.
