he Indian Premier League (IPL) is famous not only for its glamour, but also for the tremendous opportunities it affords domestic talent. The 2025 season of IPL has already mechanized many surprises, but perhaps there will be no better surprise for a budding cricketer than what has come out of the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp. On May 1, 2025, MI formally announced that leggie Raghu Sharma has been signed as a replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur (as Puthur has been ruled out for the remainder of the season).
This is not only Sharma’s first chance in IPL, but it is also an interesting move for MI itself, as they attempt to chase another title. Let’s take a look at what this means for Sharma, MI, and why fans should be paying attention to the newcomer.
Who is Raghu Sharma?
Raghu Sharma, born on 11 March, 1993 in Jalandhar, Punjab, is a right-arm leg-break bowler who has been a consistent performer in India’s domestic circuit. He has played for both Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket, working his way up to a useful and attacking leg-spinner.
While Raghu Sharma is not well known yet, he has still put up some solid numbers in first-class cricket. He has 57 wickets from 11 first-class games at an average of 19.59 with best bowling of 7/56. These numbers are impressive and show control and ability to demolish teams on most occasions.
In shorter formats, he has had fewer opportunities to intimidate but has still had an impact. Sharma has 14 wickets in 9 List A games (best of 4/37) and 3 wickets in 3 T20s. While he has very little T20 experience, his craft as a leg-spinner (the most dangerous type of bowler in T20) makes him an attractive addition to MI’s squad.
The Injury Blow to Vignesh Puthur
There is no doubting that being unable to use Vignesh Puthur again this season is a blow for Mumbai Indians. Puthur is also an emerging talent who demonstrated his abilities and controlled variations in previous matches this season and was also effective at containing runs in the middle overs. Unfortunately, a long IPL season has taken its toll on Puthur as he has been ruled out for the season.
While injuries are part of competitive sport, they also yield opportunities. In this case, the brighter side for Raghu Sharma is that he is getting a shot at one of the most revered dressing rooms in T20 cricket.
MI’s Team Selection: Filled pivotal position with Sharma
The Mumbai Indians are experienced in blending established cricketers along with youthful exuberance to create winning teams. A strong foundation of leadership and a strong scouting system along with team preparation MI has been one of the teams best at finding unproven individuals.
In the case of Raghu Sharma, signing him resonates the MI model exceedingly well. As a leg spinner with variety and wicket-taking options in the middle overs MI would have preferred to keep Puthur out of the IPL for the time being. His success in the red ball version proves he has the capacity and temperament to bowl long spells – sometimes these long spells can be critical in pressure situations, even T20.
Additionally, is the acquisition of Raghu Sharma at base price of rupees 30 lakhs, MI retains a budget-friendly option whilst ensursing high potential value. Raghu was signed from the RAPP list (Replacement Available Player Pool) which allows franchises to sign replacements for players on a pre-approved list of eligible players.
What This Means for Raghu Sharma
This moment for Raghu Sharma is nothing less than a career-defining Pinnacle milestone moment. At 32 years of age, some would say he is late-blooming within the T20 circuit as his chance of playing in the IPL took an untimely detour. That said, age is only a number, especially for a spinner, who often peaks later than a fast-bowler or batsman.
By all accounts Raghu Sharma has fought his way to the IPL. The domestic circuits are are a window to verify Raghu’s skills, now he is in the dressing room that has created such players as Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan to name a few, sharing a space with legends like Rohit Sharma and perhaps influence from bowling coach Lasith Malinga or Mark Boucher.
No matter if Raghu comes on to the field in limited capacities, the experience of being on a leading IPL squad like MI can only help elevate his game. If he does find space for some performance opportunities during the competition, a handful of quality performances could change the course of his cricketing pathway.
Mumbai Indians Potential Future
The Mumbai Indians are having a solid IPL 2025 so far. With playoffs fast approaching, grabbing new players for his squad will have an impact. They have retake Sharma, who can give additional variety to their spin bowler depth and might come in handy in spin friendly grounds like Chennai or Lucknow.
If MI want to play Sharma in one or more matches, it will depend on the form and availability of their first-choice bowlers. And MI will hope that Sharma displays the same sharpness that he has shown in his game with the other domestic teams.
Conclusion
The addition of Raghu Sharma reflects how the IPL can still be a relevant opportunity and showcase for talent. Vignesh Puthur’s unfortunate injury has given another willing cricketer a chance to show these skills on the biggest stage of franchise cricket.
This is another smart move for Mumbai Indians, one which could be critical as the business of the tournament approaches. For Sharma, it is a start in realizing a dream he has aspired to for several years. Regardless of the number of matches he plays in this season, he has already won by competing in the IPL, and perhaps, this is only the start.
