“I started legspin by watching his videos,” said Raghu Sharma, reflecting on his journey to the IPL. The 33-year-old leg-spinner made his debut for the Mumbai Indians against the Chennai Super Kings on May 2, 2026, after an extraordinary weight loss journey and a late start in cricket.
His story is one of resilience. Raghu lost between 30-35 kg to pursue his cricket career, inspired by India’s triumphant ODI World Cup win in 2011. He began playing cricket later than many of his peers, but that never deterred him.
Key achievements:
- 57 wickets in just 12 first-class matches, showing impressive potential.
- 14 wickets in eight matches during the 2024–25 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- A mid-season replacement for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 due to an injury to Vignesh Puthur.
Raghu’s path to this moment included representing Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket. He made his first-class debut during the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy season—an experience that laid the groundwork for his current success.
He received his maiden IPL cap from MI captain Hardik Pandya, marking a significant milestone in his career. “If you see my old photos on Facebook, two-three Raghus of today can fit into that Raghu,” he remarked, underscoring the transformation he underwent.
This debut not only highlights Raghu’s talent but also emphasizes the importance of determination and hard work. His journey resonates with many aspiring cricketers who face obstacles on their path to success.
