Mumbai Indians Sign Raghu Sharma for IPL 2025 | Injury Replacement for Vignesh Puthur

Mumbai Indians Sign Leggie Raghu Sharma as Vignesh Puthur’s Replacement for Remainder of IPL 2025

In a mid-season shuffle that brings fresh spin options into the fold, Mumbai Indians have signed seasoned leg-spinner Raghu Sharma as a replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur. The announcement was made via an official media advisory on May 1, 2025, as the five-time IPL champions look to fortify their bowling depth heading into the crucial business end of the tournament.

Sharma Joins Mumbai Indians: A Late But Well-Deserved Break

For Raghu Sharma, this is more than just a squad addition it’s the fulfillment of a long-held ambition. The 32-year-old leg-spinner from Jalandhar, Punjab, has spent over a decade on the domestic circuit, often under the radar despite consistently impressive performances. Having represented both Punjab and Puducherry, Sharma’s domestic career is built on persistence and skill, and his entry into the IPL albeit as a replacement is a testament to his staying power.

His first-class numbers are particularly striking: 57 wickets in just 11 matches at a phenomenal average of 19.59, including best figures of 7 for 56. In the white-ball formats, his outings have been limited but promising, with 14 wickets in nine List A matches and three scalps in as many T20 games.

Now picked from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) at a base price of INR 30 lakhs, Sharma finally gets his shot at the big stage an opportunity that most domestic stalwarts dream of but few get.

A Timely Inclusion Amid Injury Woes

Mumbai Indians’ campaign in IPL 2025 has been building strong momentum, with a string of recent wins boosting their standings. However, the loss of Vignesh Puthur a promising young spinner due to injury left a vacuum in their slow bowling reserves. The team’s management, known for strategic player utilization and talent scouting, wasted no time filling the gap.

While Puthur’s injury details remain undisclosed, sources close to the team suggest it’s a muscle-related issue that will need weeks of recovery. With no margin for error as the playoff race heats up, MI opted for an experienced head in Sharma rather than blooding a new rookie.

This isn’t an unfamiliar situation for Mumbai. The franchise has historically thrived by maximizing late-season signings and pushing backup players into impactful roles. In fact, key names like Mitchell McClenaghan and Alzarri Joseph have turned games around in previous editions after being roped in mid-season.

What Sharma Brings to MI’s Arsenal

Raghu Sharma isn’t just another leggie; he brings with him years of nuanced experience and a skillset that matches current IPL demands. With pitches likely to slow down during the latter half of the tournament especially in venues like Delhi, Chennai, and Jaipur his wrist spin could become a handy asset.

His natural flight, ability to extract bounce, and variations in pace make him a wicket-taking option in the middle overs. Crucially, Sharma has also bowled well in high-pressure domestic knockout games, a trait Mumbai will value as the league enters its decisive phase.

More than numbers, Sharma brings maturity. For a team that already boasts the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult in the pace department, his role will be complementary someone who can control the game from one end and create wicket-taking opportunities for the others.

Mumbai Indians’ Calculated Risk

Mumbai Indians’ bench strength has always been a talking point, but this season, it's been tested frequently due to injuries and rotation strategies. Sharma’s inclusion is less about filling a spot and more about hedging against contingencies.

With the IPL format not affording too much breathing room between games, fatigue and niggles are an ever-present concern. Sharma’s experience across multiple domestic teams means he’s adaptable and can slot into the XI with minimal disruption.

Whether or not he gets immediate game time remains to be seen. But given Hardik Pandya’s preference for utilizing multiple bowling options and rotating spin and pace based on match-ups, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Sharma debut sooner rather than later.

A New Chapter Begins

For Raghu Sharma, this IPL stint is not just a platform to showcase his skills but also a validation of his journey through Indian cricket’s demanding grassroots levels. With MI still in the hunt for a top-two finish, his inclusion could prove to be a quiet masterstroke.

As the business end of the IPL approaches and tactical depth becomes key, Sharma could be the kind of underdog story that defines this season. Mumbai’s faith in seasoned domestic performers once again shows why they are one of the most respected franchises in the game.

Whether he gets one game or several, Raghu Sharma is finally where he belongs on the biggest stage, ready to spin his tale in gold and blue.