“I started legspin by watching his videos,” said Raghu Sharma, who made his IPL debut on May 2, 2026, for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings. The 33-year-old leg-spinner from Punjab has had an inspiring journey to professional cricket.
He received his maiden IPL cap from MI captain Hardik Pandya. Raghu’s journey began after he lost 30-35 kg to pursue a cricket career, inspired by India’s victory in the 2011 ODI World Cup. He previously played for Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket.
Raghu made his first-class debut during the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy season. In just 12 first-class matches, he took 57 wickets, including five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. His performance in limited-overs cricket includes taking 14 wickets in eight matches during the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He was signed by Mumbai Indians as a mid-season replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur in IPL 2025. Before joining the main squad, Raghu served as a net bowler for the team. Since making his T20 debut in 2021, he has taken four wickets across four matches.
Raghu reflected on his dedication: “I would go to the ground in the afternoon, in 45-46°C heat. No one else would be there, but I would keep running and running.” His commitment has paid off as he steps onto the IPL stage.
As he embarks on this new chapter with Mumbai Indians, Raghu continues to draw inspiration from Shane Warne. He stated, “I had a great desire to meet him because, in a way, he is my mentor – I still watch his videos before a match.” This connection to his idol fuels his passion for leg-spin bowling.
Having been bought at a base price of ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction, Raghu looks forward to making an impact on the field. His journey exemplifies perseverance and determination in pursuing one’s dreams.
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