“Not all debuts follow the same script—and Raghu Sharma’s story proves exactly that.” This quote encapsulates the journey of Raghu Sharma, who debuted in the IPL on May 2, 2026, against the Chennai Super Kings. The 33-year-old leg-spinner from Jalandhar, Punjab, has faced numerous challenges to reach this milestone.
Raghu started playing cricket at the age of 18 after being inspired by India’s 2011 World Cup win. His dedication to the sport led him to play domestic cricket for Punjab and Puducherry. He made his first-class debut during the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy season and has taken 57 wickets in just 12 matches, including five five-wicket hauls.
Key facts about Raghu Sharma:
- He was signed by Mumbai Indians as a mid-season replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur in 2025.
- He has taken four wickets in four T20 matches since his debut in 2021.
- Raghu lost 30-35 kg to improve his fitness for cricket.
- He was bought at the IPL 2026 auction for a base price of ₹30 lakh.
On his debut day, MI captain Hardik Pandya handed him his maiden IPL cap. Raghu expressed gratitude for this opportunity. “I weighed around 102kg. If you see my old photos on Facebook, two-three Raghus of today can fit into that Raghu,” he stated, highlighting his transformation.
Raghu admires Shane Warne and credits him as a mentor. He often watches Warne’s tutorial videos before matches. “I started legspin by watching his videos. His ‘Leg Spin Tutorial’ is still there [on YouTube],” he said. This dedication to learning has shaped his style as a leg-spinner.
The Mumbai Indians face the Chennai Super Kings tonight at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Fans eagerly await how Raghu Sharma will perform in this high-stakes match.
