Raghu Sharma, 33, Makes IPL Debut for Mumbai Indians After Long Domestic Route

Key facts

• Raghu Sharma debuted for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on May 2, 2026, at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
• He is a 33-year-old right-arm leg-break bowler and lower-order batter from Jalandhar, Punjab.
• Sharma has 57 wickets in 12 first-class matches, with five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls.
• He was signed by MI as a mid-season replacement for injured Vignesh Puthur in 2025 for Rs 30 lakh.
• Sharma has taken 4 wickets in 4 T20 matches at an economy rate of 8.
• Mumbai Indians were ninth on the table with 4 points from 2 wins in 8 matches before this fixture.
• MI made two changes: Krish Bhagat replaced Ashwani Kumar, and Sharma was named in the Impact Player list.

A Debut Born of Desperation

Raghu Sharma, a 33-year-old leg-spinner from Jalandhar, made his Indian Premier League debut for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match carried extra weight for Mumbai, who arrived ninth on the table with just four points from two wins in eight outings. Hardik Pandya handed Sharma his maiden IPL cap before the toss, announcing, 'We have one debut – the leggie plays his first game.' The side also brought in Krish Bhagat for Ashwani Kumar, and Sharma was listed among the Impact Players for the match.

A Long Road Through Domestic Cricket

Born in 1993 in Jalandhar, Punjab, Sharma is a right-arm leg-break bowler and a lower-order right-handed batter who has represented Punjab and later Puducherry across formats. He made his first-class debut in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season and has since taken 57 wickets in 12 first-class matches, with five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he claimed 14 wickets in eight matches. Since his T20 debut in 2021, he has taken four wickets in four matches at an economy rate of eight. He has batted only once in those four T20 innings.

The Mumbai Indians Connection

Mumbai Indians signed Sharma as a mid-season replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur in 2025 for Rs 30 lakh, but he did not play a single match in the 2025 edition. He had earlier been associated with the franchise as a net bowler. On May 2, that background turned into a place in the XI and a first cap in one of the league’s biggest fixtures. The decision to hand the 33-year-old his debut came after Mumbai lost their previous meeting with Chennai Super Kings by 103 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. That defeat left a clear gap in the season head-to-head, and the move showed MI were willing to change personnel in the middle of a difficult run.

Match Context and Team Changes

For the must-win match at Chepauk, Mumbai Indians dropped Punjab-based fast bowler Ashwani Kumar from their playing XI. In his place, Krish Bhagat, who also represents Punjab in domestic cricket, returned to the side. Rohit Sharma, the 39-year-old right-handed batter, remained sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury while batting against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 12 at Wankhede Stadium. Chennai Super Kings made three changes to their playing XI: Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary and Prashant Veer replaced Akeal Hosein, Sarfaraz Khan and Gurjapneet Singh. Akeal had taken four wickets for Chennai in their last match against Mumbai.

Stakes for a Struggling Side

Mumbai’s call to use Sharma came in a match that carried added weight after the side lost its previous meeting with Chennai by 103 runs. For a team sitting ninth with four points, the debut was not a side note; it was part of the response to a season that has left little room for wasted spots. Sharma’s name on the Impact Player list gave Mumbai another leg-spin option in a match where every selection carried extra weight. With the season slipping away, every decision now carries heightened significance.

What Comes Next for Sharma and Mumbai

Sharma’s first IPL outing came after a long route through domestic cricket. The 33-year-old now has the chance to prove himself on the biggest stage, but Mumbai’s playoff hopes hang by a thread. The franchise will need more than a debut spark to turn around a campaign that has yielded only two wins in eight matches. For Sharma, the journey from net bowler to cap recipient is complete. Whether he can become a regular in the XI will depend on his performance in a high-pressure environment where every ball is scrutinized.

A Debut That Reflects a Wider Trend

Sharma’s inclusion underscores the IPL’s role as a platform for late bloomers. At 33, he is older than many debutants, but his domestic numbers — 57 first-class wickets at an impressive strike rate — suggest a bowler who has earned his chance. The move also highlights Mumbai’s willingness to dig deep into their reserves as they search for a winning combination. Whether this debut marks the start of a meaningful IPL career or a brief footnote depends on the matches ahead. For now, Raghu Sharma has his cap, his chance, and a team that needs him to deliver.

The bottom line

• Raghu Sharma, 33, made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians on May 2, 2026, after years in domestic cricket.
• He has 57 first-class wickets in 12 matches and was signed as a replacement for Vignesh Puthur in 2025.
• Mumbai Indians were ninth on the table with 4 points from 8 matches before this fixture.
• Sharma was named in the Impact Player list and received his cap from captain Hardik Pandya.
• The debut came after Mumbai lost their previous match against Chennai by 103 runs.
• Rohit Sharma remained sidelined due to a hamstring injury suffered on April 12.