Raghu Sharma: The Late Bloomer of IPL 2026
“Who was this late entrant?” questioned a spectator as Raghu Sharma, a 33-year-old leg-spinner, made his IPL debut on May 2, 2026, for the Mumbai Indians against the Chennai Super Kings. His journey through domestic cricket—marked by persistence—has finally led him to this moment.
Sharma’s cricket story began unusually late at the age of 18, inspired by India’s triumph in the 2011 World Cup. He has represented both Punjab and Puducherry in various formats, making his first-class debut during the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy season. Over just 12 matches, he took an impressive 57 wickets, including five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls.
Key statistics from his career:
- 57 wickets in 12 first-class matches
- 14 wickets in eight matches during the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy
- Four wickets in four T20 matches since debuting in 2021
In a twist of fate, Sharma’s breakthrough moment came in 2025 when he signed with the Mumbai Indians as a mid-season replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur. MI captain Hardik Pandya handed him his maiden IPL cap—a significant milestone for any cricketer.
The Mumbai Indians faced challenges leading into this match; they were struggling in IPL 2026, sitting at ninth place with only four points and a net run rate of -0.784. Earlier in the tournament, they suffered a staggering 103-run defeat to CSK.
Despite these obstacles, Sharma’s rise underscores an inspiring narrative within cricket—the potential of late bloomers to make their mark. As he steps onto the field today, fans and teammates alike are eager to see how he performs on this grand stage.
