The Mumbai Indians have announced that leg-spinner Raghu Sharma has been drafted in to replace Vignesh Puthur, who has been sidelined due to a bone stress reaction in both shins.
Who Is Raghu Sharma?
Previously part of MI’s support bowling contingent, Sharma now steps up to the main squad and will be making his IPL debut. A steady player in home cricket, Sharma has played in 11 first-class, nine List A, and three T20s. He has a strong record in the longer version, with five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket match hauls to his credit. In the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, the Punjab bowler took 14 wickets from nine matches. Sharma enters the franchise at his reserve price of INR 30 lakh from the RAPP list, a milestone in his career.
Vignesh Puthur To Focus On His Fitness
As for Vignesh Puthur, the young pacer made an immediate impression in IPL 2025, especially during MI’s season opener against Chennai Super Kings, where he picked up three wickets on debut. He went on to play five matches and took a total of six wickets.
Though injured and ruled out, Puthur will stay with the team for the remainder of the season. The franchise has assured that he would be allowed to pursue his rehabilitation with Mumbai Indians’ medical and fitness staff to ensure he receives the necessary care to come back stronger.
