Raghu Sharma, 33, makes IPL debut for Mumbai Indians against CSK after years in domestic cricket

Key facts

• Raghu Sharma, 33, debuted for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on May 2, 2026, at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
• He received his IPL cap from MI captain Hardik Pandya.
• Sharma was included in the Impact Player list; MI also brought in Krish Bhagat for Ashwani Kumar.
• MI have won only two of eight matches, sitting ninth with four points and a net run rate of -0.784.
• Sharma has 57 wickets in 12 first-class matches, including five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls.
• He took 14 wickets in eight matches during the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
• MI signed Sharma as a mid-season replacement in 2025 for injured Vignesh Puthur; he had been a net bowler for the franchise.
• Sharma previously represented Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket; his first-class debut came in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy.

A debut under pressure

Raghu Sharma, a 33-year-old leg-spinner from Jalandhar, Punjab, made his Indian Premier League debut for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, May 2, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He received his maiden IPL cap from MI captain Hardik Pandya before the match. Mumbai Indians, five-time champions, are enduring a torrid season. They have managed only two wins from eight matches, languishing ninth in the table with four points and a net run rate of -0.784. The team also brought in Krish Bhagat for Ashwani Kumar, while Sharma was named in the Impact Player list.

A long road to the IPL

Sharma’s cricketing journey began in domestic cricket, where he represented Punjab and later Puducherry across formats. He made his first-class debut during the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy season and gradually established himself as a dependable spinner. In red-ball cricket, Sharma has been particularly impressive, picking up 57 wickets in 12 first-class matches, including five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. His performances in limited-overs cricket also caught attention, especially during the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he took 14 wickets in eight matches. In four T20 matches since his debut in 2021, he has taken four wickets at an economy rate of eight.

From net bowler to franchise retention

Sharma’s breakthrough came in 2025 when Mumbai Indians signed him as a mid-season replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur. He had earlier been associated with the franchise as a net bowler, gaining exposure to top-level players and coaching staff. Although he did not feature in matches that season, the franchise recognised his potential and retained him, signalling long-term faith in his abilities. His debut now comes in a high-stakes ‘El Clasico’ clash against Chennai Super Kings, a fixture laden with history and rivalry.

MI’s desperate season

Mumbai Indians’ struggles this season are stark. With only two wins from eight matches, they sit ninth in the table, their net run rate of -0.784 reflecting consistent underperformance. The team will also be seeking revenge after their previous meeting against Chennai Super Kings earlier in the tournament, where they suffered a 103-run defeat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sharma’s inclusion is part of a broader effort to shake up a faltering lineup. The decision to hand a 33-year-old debutant his first IPL cap underscores the franchise’s willingness to turn to experienced domestic performers in a bid to reverse their fortunes.

What lies ahead for Sharma and MI

For Sharma, the debut marks the culmination of years of persistence and late recognition. At 33, he is older than many debutants, but his domestic record—57 first-class wickets at an impressive strike rate—suggests he can contribute immediately. Mumbai Indians, with only six matches remaining in the league stage, face an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs. Sharma’s performance in the coming games will be closely watched, both as a measure of his own potential and as a signal of the franchise’s long-term planning. The team’s faith in him, first as a net bowler and now as a capped player, reflects a belief that domestic consistency can translate to the IPL stage.

A testament to domestic cricket’s depth

Sharma’s story is a reminder of the depth of talent in Indian domestic cricket, where players often toil for years before getting a chance on the biggest stage. His journey from Jalandhar to the MA Chidambaram Stadium, via Punjab and Puducherry, is one of perseverance. Whether he can seize this opportunity remains to be seen, but his debut already adds a layer of narrative to an IPL season that has been dominated by the struggles of one of its most successful franchises. For Mumbai Indians, Sharma represents both a gamble and a statement of intent.

The bottom line

• Raghu Sharma, 33, made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians on May 2, 2026, against Chennai Super Kings, receiving his cap from Hardik Pandya.
• Sharma has a strong first-class record: 57 wickets in 12 matches, with five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls.
• He was signed by MI in 2025 as a mid-season replacement for injured Vignesh Puthur, having previously been a net bowler for the franchise.
• Mumbai Indians are ninth in the table with four points from eight matches, having lost their previous encounter with CSK by 103 runs.
• Sharma’s debut highlights the franchise’s reliance on experienced domestic players amid a faltering season.
• His journey from domestic cricket in Punjab and Puducherry to the IPL underscores the depth of talent in Indian cricket.