The Mumbai Indians (MI) signed Raghu Sharma for the remaining games of IPL 2025. Sharma is a leg-spinner and occasionally performs as a right-hand batter.
Who is Raghu Sharma?
Raghu Sharma is a Punjab-born cricketer who came through the local circuit and at state level before debuting at the Ranji Trophy in 2017. The talented bowler registered a 7/56 in his first Ranji Trophy game to signal his potential for match-winning leg-spinner performances at the top level.
Sharma bagged 57 wickets in 11 First-Class appearances that also included five 5-wicket and three 10-wicket hauls. Raghu’s lethal bowling abilities caught the eye of several scouts at the pinnacle of India’s domestic cricket after this performance.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Raghu Shivam Sharma |
| Date of Birth | 11 March 1993 |
| Age | 32 years (as of May 2025) |
| Birth Place | Jalandhar, Punjab, India |
| Batting Style | Right‑handed |
| Bowling Style | Right‑arm leg‑break & googly |
| Primary Role | Bowler |
| Domestic Teams | Punjab (2017–18 Ranji onward), Puducherry (T20s from 2021) |
| IPL Club | Mumbai Indians (2025–present; replacement player) |
| First‑class Debut | Punjab vs. Chandigarh, Ranji Trophy, 14 October 2017 – figures of 7/56 in debut match |
| List A Debut | Punjab vs. Goa, Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2017‑18 season |
| T20 Debut | Puducherry vs. Nagaland, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, 11 January 2021 |
| FC Career Record | 11 matches, 57 wickets, avg 19.59, best 7/56, 5 × 5‑fers, 3 × 10‑fers |
| List A Career Record | 9 matches, 14 wickets, avg 28.71, best 4/37 |
| T20 Career (domestic) | 3 matches, 3 wickets, avg 31.33, best 2/27 |
| IPL Debut | RR vs MI on 1 May 2025 |
Sharma made his foray into List A cricket during the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He snatched 14 wickets in 9 games at a 28.7 average that also included a remarkable 4/37. Raghu also debuted in the domestic T20 circuit three years later for Puducherry in January 2021. He featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and secured 3 wickets in three games.
Sharma didn’t have immense experience in short format cricket; however, his SMAT outing kept him within the radar of top selectors.
Why Did MI Add Raghu Sharma to Their Lineup?
The MI lineup initially featured Vignesh Puthur ahead of Raghu Sharma. However, MI had to secure the latter after Vignesh picked up injuries after featuring in six matches for the Indians.
Puthur even featured in his first-ever IPL games for MI and contributed with great individual performances. Vignesh bagged a remarkable three-wicket haul against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and continued with impressive six wickets in five games at a 9.08 economy rate. Puthur needed to bow out prematurely this season with bone stress issues in both of his shins.
Vignesh is ruled out of further IPL action this season. His exit provides Raghu the perfect chance to display his skillset in India’s most-challenging franchise league.
How Much Did MI Pay for Raghu Sharma?
MI paid ₹30 lakh to secure Raghu Sharma’s services for IPL 2025. The player joined MI from the Replacement and Auction Pool Player (RAPP) list. His maiden appearance could expose the talented bowler to another remarkable career in franchise cricket. He was already a part of MI’s net bowling squad before his inclusion to the main team.
Sharma is coming into India’s premier T20 league on the back of an impressive record in domestic circuits. His potential to deliver for teams like Puducherry and Punjab could deliver the goods to perform exceptionally and retain a high-profile position in future IPL seasons. Raghu is already 30+ but can still prove a lot with his impressive gameplay and undeniable talent across formats.
Does Sharma Stand a Chance in the IPL Next Season?
Raghu may feature in upcoming MI squads if he continues to deliver great performances at the highest level. He may also move to other franchises if his foray into franchise cricket at Mumbai doesn’t go as expected.
The Mumbai Indians have handed debuts to several players this season, and their approach reaped dividends so far. A sluggish start is now history as MI looks set to contend for a place in the playoffs. MI may hand Raghu greater responsibility at the later matches if they can confirm their playoffs place in upcoming games.
Some Interesting Facts About Raghu Sharma
- Several analysts rate Sharma’s googly as one of the most deceptive in India’s domestic circuit. His googly aims to draw batters forward and trigger potential mistakes, even from the very best players
- Sharma has a Physical Education degree from a university in Punjab
- Raghu endured a shoulder stress problem in early 2023 before returning to record impressive numbers at domestic-level cricket during the Ranji Trophy 2023/24
- Sharma was once an attendant at a spin camp mentored by Bishan Singh Bedi to refine his bowling skills as a young cricketer
- Raghu runs spin bowling clinics in Jalandhar to mentor local players in Punjab
