Leg-spinners who perform consistently in domestic cricket deserve opportunities eventually. Raghu Sharma waited patiently for his IPL chance to arrive. The 28-year-old from Punjab bowls leg-spin with decent control. His journey from support bowler to main squad inspires many. This season marks a significant milestone in his career.
Raghu Sharma: The Punjab Leg-Spinner
Raghu was born 28 years ago in Punjab. He’s represented both Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket. Leg-spin bowling remains his speciality across all formats. Playing for multiple states shows his adaptability and willingness.
His first-class record stands out particularly well among spinners. He’s played 11 first-class matches grabbing wickets regularly there. Five five-wicket hauls came during those games impressively. Three 10-wicket match hauls prove his match-winning abilities completely.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 showcased his talent brilliantly. He grabbed 14 wickets across nine matches for Punjab. Such performances in national tournaments catch the eyes of IPL scouts. Consistent domestic bowlers often get rewarded with chances eventually.
From Support Bowler to Main Squad
Raghu Sharma worked as the Mumbai Indians’ support bowler initially. Such roles teach players about professional environments without playing. He learned from watching MI’s spinners operate daily there. Patience becomes crucial when waiting for opportunities like this.
Vignesh Puthur’s injury opened a door for him suddenly. Bone stress reactions in both shins ended Puthur’s season. Mumbai needed a replacement spinner immediately for their squad. Raghu got promoted from support staff to the main squad.
His IPL Price Details
The IPL team, the Mumbai Indians signed Raghu Sharma as an injury replacement player. They paid him ₹30 lakh for this opportunity. That base price for replacement signings seems standard. The amount continued at ₹30 lakh for 2026 retention.
Replacement players rarely command big money in such situations. His amount reflects his uncapped status and replacement role. The IPL price will likely increase if performances impress. Franchises value spinners who can bowl economically in T20s.
His IPL Team Opportunity
Raghu Sharma joins the Mumbai Indians’ main squad for 2026. Working as a support bowler gave him inside knowledge already. The team knows his abilities from daily practice sessions.
Mumbai’s five-time championship history creates winning cultures everywhere. His IPL team expects him to deliver tight overs when needed. They need backup spinners who handle pressure situations calmly. The management gave him this chance based on potential.
Limited T20 Experience
Raghu has played just 3 T20 matches domestically. Nine List A games add to his experience overall. First-class cricket remains his strongest format currently. Expect him to adapt quickly to IPL’s pace in this season.
