Guwahati: Raghu Sharma, Mumbai Indians, right (PTI Image)
Punjab cricketer Raghu Sharma found himself in the limelight during the high-profile IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 2. Although he did not start in the XI, MI captain Hardik Pandya confirmed at the toss that the 33-year-old leg-spinner would emerge as an influential player in the second innings.
Earlier, Sharma was handed his first IPL cap, marking a significant moment in his long domestic journey.Mumbai Indians made another change to their lineup, bringing in Krish Bhagat in place of Ashwani Kumar. Having struggled this season with just two wins from eight matches, MI entered the competition ninth on the table with four points and a net run rate of -0.784. The match also carried an extra incentive, as MI looks to hit back after a heavy 103-run defeat to CSK earlier in the tournament.
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Sharma’s rise has been built on perseverance. Born in Jalandhar, the leg-broke bowler represented Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket. Since his debut in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy, he has taken 57 wickets in 12 matches, including five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls.He also impressed in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy with 14 wickets in eight matches. In T20s, he has taken four wickets in four matches at an economy rate of eight since making his debut in 2021. He began his association with MI as a net bowler before being signed as a mid-season replacement in 2025, with the franchise retaining him as part of their long-term plans.At the toss, Hardik Pandya chose to bat first. For CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad made two changes, bringing in Ramakrishna Ghosh in place of Gurjapneet Singh and Prashant Veer in place of Akeal Hosein.