Raghu finished with figures of 4-0-36-1 in a high-scoring encounter where the Mumbai Indians chased down a daunting 229-run target in 18.4 overs, powered by Rohit Sharma (84) and Ryan Rickelton (83), to register a crucial win and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Raghu, however, the night was about a personal milestone as he finally broke through with his first IPL wicket after years of perseverance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a dream come true for me that I got a maiden IPL wicket. First of all, I just want to thank my spiritual Gurudev, Shri Shyam Das, and my mother and father for supporting me. I have just come onto this platform,\u201d he said in a video released by IPL on X. I was there that if I\u2019ll take the wicket, I\u2019ll definitely put that out. Just thanks Mumbai Indians because it\u2019s been a painful 15 years for me,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Raghu also credited the franchise for backing him through his journey, which began far away from professional cricketing pathways.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m very grateful to this franchise that they have supported me, believed in me, and backed me. Now I\u2019m just giving them that confidence that yes, I can also do that for them as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on his unconventional path, Raghu shared that he started cricket late and had to overcome several challenges, including fitness concerns and family doubts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI started at 21. All age-group cricket was already finished for me, but I was determined. I was around 102 kgs, not that fit, but I worked hard. When I saw Dhoni sir hit that six (in 2011), it gave me the belief that I can also do this,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy father said you can\u2019t do it because you are not fit enough, cricket is not for you. But I stayed focused and kept working hard,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Raghu came in as a replacement for Vignesh Puthur in IPL 2025, but didn't get a chance to play a game in that season. He made his debut on Saturday against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) but returned wicketless.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy father said you can\u2019t do it because you are not fit enough, cricket is not for you. But I stayed focused and kept working hard,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With his maiden wicket now behind him, Raghu will look to build on the breakthrough and contribute further as the Mumbai Indians aim to turn their season around.<\/p>\r\n\r\n