Mumbai Indians (MI) have been forced to make a significant squad change ahead of the business end of IPL 2025, with left-arm wrist-spinner Vignesh Puthur ruled out due to bone stress reactions in both shins.
The five-time champions have signed Raghu Sharma, a 32-year-old leg-spinner from Punjab, as his replacement for the remainder of the tournament.
Vignesh Puthur’s Impact and Injury
Puthur announced his arrival with a 3-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings in MI’s season opener, becoming an instant fan favorite.
The 22-year-old claimed 6 wickets in 5 matches at an economy of 9.08, providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Diagnosed with bilateral shin stress reactions, Puthur will now focus on recovery under MI’s medical team while remaining with the squad.
Who is Raghu Sharma: The Replacement
Raghu Sharma, previously a net bowler for MI, joins the main squad at his base price of ₹30 lakh from the RAPP list.
He is expected to bolster MI’s spin attack alongside Piyush Chawla, offering leg-break variations and middle-over control.
Domestic Stats:
- First-Class: 57 wickets in 11 matches (avg. 19.59), including a 7/56 best.
- List A: 14 wickets in 9 games (best 4/37)
- T20s: 3 wickets in 3 matches
MI’s Resurgence and Playoff Push
- Turnaround: After losing 4 of their first 5 matches, MI have won 5 consecutive games to climb to 3rd place (12 points from 10 matches).
- Historical Context: MI have historically dominated after gaining momentum from their 5 IPL titles came after similar mid-season surges.
- Next Challenge: MI face Rajasthan Royals on May 1, aiming to extend their winning streak and solidify playoff chances.
The replacement underscores MI’s strategy of blending youth (Puthur) with experienced domestic performers (Sharma) to maintain balance.
With playoffs looming, Sharma’s ability to adapt to T20 cricket could prove pivotal.
