Did MI Just Sign Raghu Sharma as Vignesh Puthur's Replacement for IPL 2025?
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Synopsis
In a surprising move, the Mumbai Indians have signed leg-spinner Raghu Sharma to replace the injured Vignesh Puthur for the rest of IPL 2025. This marks Raghu's debut in the league, and he comes with impressive domestic statistics. How will his addition impact the team's performance?
Key Takeaways
- Raghu Sharma is signed by MI as a replacement for the injured Vignesh Puthur.
- This marks Raghu's debut in the IPL.
- Vignesh had a promising start with six wickets in five matches.
- MI is currently in the top three positions after winning several matches.
- Raghu has impressive domestic cricket statistics.
Mumbai, May 1 (NationPress) - The Mumbai Indians (MI) have officially signed leg-spinner Raghu Sharma as a replacement for Vignesh Puthur, who has been sidelined for the rest of IPL 2025 due to an injury, the franchise announced on Thursday.
This will be Raghu's first appearance in the IPL, joining MI at a base price of Rs 30 lakh from the RAPP list.
Raghu, born on March 11, 1993, in Jalandhar, Punjab, is a right-arm leg-break bowler. He has played for Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket, taking 57 wickets in 11 first-class matches at an impressive average of 19.59, with best bowling figures of 7/56.
In List A cricket, he has claimed 14 wickets in 9 matches, with best figures of 4/37, and has participated in 3 T20 matches where he picked up 3 wickets.
Vignesh played five matches for MI, taking six wickets and had a memorable debut against CSK with three wickets. As a right-handed batter and left-arm wrist spinner, he has been considered one of the young talents unearthed by MI, alongside notable players like Saurabh Tiwary, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma.
He made his IPL debut for MI even before participating in senior representative cricket for his state. Vignesh was selected from the Kerala T20 league, where he played for Alleppey Ripples, and made an impressive entry into the IPL by dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda in his first match, finishing with figures of 3-32.
He then recorded figures of 1-21, 1-31, 1-10, and 0-15 in his subsequent four games before being ruled out due to injury.
Prior to his IPL involvement, Vignesh served as a net bowler for MI Cape Town and had the chance to train with Rashid Khan, one of the top wrist-spinners in T20 cricket.
Currently, the Mumbai Indians, who faced a rocky season start, have now secured a spot in the top three of the standings after winning five matches consecutively.
Point of View
This strategic move by the Mumbai Indians to recruit Raghu Sharma reflects their commitment to fielding a competitive team despite injuries. This demonstrates their adaptability and foresight, crucial in a high-stakes tournament like the IPL.
NationPress
17/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did MI sign Raghu Sharma?
MI signed Raghu Sharma to replace the injured Vignesh Puthur for the remainder of IPL 2025.
What are Raghu Sharma's domestic stats?
Raghu Sharma has taken 57 wickets in 11 first-class matches and has also claimed 14 wickets in List A cricket.
Who was Vignesh Puthur?
Vignesh Puthur was a promising young bowler for MI, known for his impressive debut performance against CSK.
What challenges did MI face this season?
MI had a shaky start to the season but has bounced back with five consecutive wins.
What is the significance of Raghu Sharma's signing?
Raghu's signing is significant as it addresses the team's need for a quality bowler and adds depth to their squad.
