Who is Raghu Sharma and why did Mumbai Indians pick him for his IPL debut against CSK?

Who is Raghu Sharma

Raghu Sharma is a right-arm leg-break bowler from Jalandhar, Punjab, born in 1993. He also contributes as a lower-order right-handed batter. Sharma has represented Punjab and Puducherry across all formats and has gradually established himself as a dependable spinner through domestic cricket.

Domestic Cricket Credentials

Sharma made his first-class debut in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season. In red-ball cricket, he has been particularly impressive with 57 wickets in 12 first-class matches, including five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he picked up 14 wickets in just 8 matches. In T20s, he has taken 4 wickets in 4 matches at an economy rate of 8 since debuting in 2021.

Why Mumbai Indians Selected Him

Mumbai Indians signed Sharma in IPL 2025 as a mid-season replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur. Although he did not feature in matches that season, the franchise recognised his potential and retained him ahead of IPL 2026, signalling long-term faith in his abilities. He was part of MI's support bowling group as a net bowler before his promotion to the main squad for his IPL debut against CSK.

IPL 2026 Debut Context

Sharma made his IPL debut on May 2, 2026, against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. MI captain Hardik Pandya confirmed at the toss that the 33-year-old would feature as an Impact Player in the second innings and presented him with his maiden IPL cap. The match came during a struggling season for MI, which had won just 2 matches from 8 and languished ninth on the table with four points and a net run rate of -0.784.

Motivation for Selection

MI had additional motivation for the fixture, looking to respond after a heavy 103-run defeat to CSK earlier in the tournament. Sharma's rise has been built on persistence and consistent domestic performances, making him a calculated selection as an Impact Player in this high-profile clash.