Mumbai Indians (MI) have found themselves in a bit of a fix this IPL season. Their promising left-arm wristspinner, Vignesh Puthur, is out for the rest of the 2025 competition. He’s been sidelined with bone stress reactions in both shins, a real setback after such a strong start.
Puthur, who impressed everyone on his debut against Chennai Super Kings, claiming three wickets, takes a pause from action. Over five matches, he secured a total of six wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 9.08. MI hopes he’ll stick with the team to undergo rehab with their medical and fitness professionals. “Vignesh will continue to be with the team to focus on his recovery and rehabilitation,” said a statement from the club.
Stepping into the breach is Raghu Sharma, a 32-year-old legspinner. Sharma was one of MI’s net bowlers, but now joins the main squad at a base price of INR 30 lakh. This will be his first venture into the IPL. Sharma’s experience comes from domestic cricket, where he has represented Punjab and Puducherry. His record is solid, with 57 wickets in 11 first-class matches at an average of 19.59, alongside achievements in List A and T20 formats.
For MI, they’ve turned a rocky start into potential success. Out of their initial five matches, they only clinched one victory. Yet, they’ve since turned the tables, notching five straight wins. This form boost sees them sitting at a respectable third on the table with 12 points from ten games.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Sharma to see if he can bring his domestic prowess to the IPL stage, helping Mumbai Indians continue their winning streak.
