A Star is Born in IPL 2025
One of the most unexpected debuts in
Indian Premier League (IPL) history took place when Mumbai Indians (MI) introduced
Vignesh Puthur, a left-arm wrist-spinner from Kerala, as an
Impact Player against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). What makes his debut special? He had never played a professional T20 match before!
With his sensational debut performance, Puthur has quickly become the talk of the town. From playing local leagues to making an impact in the IPL, his rise to the big stage is an
inspirational story of hard work and perseverance.
Vignesh Puthur’s Background: From Local Cricket to IPL
Hailing from
Malappuram, Kerala, Vignesh Puthur’s journey to IPL is nothing short of inspiring. His father works as an
autorickshaw driver, and he started as a
medium-pace bowler before switching to spin upon the advice of local cricketer Mohammed Sherif.
Early Cricketing Journey
Puthur started his cricket career at the
U-14 and U-19 levels for Kerala but did not get a breakthrough into the senior team. Despite this, he did not give up and continued to improve his skills through various leagues.
He showcased his talent in tournaments like:
- Kerala Cricket League (KCL) 2024 – Represented Alleppey Ripples, took 2 wickets in 4 matches.
- DY Patil Cup 2025 – Played for Reliance 1, securing 2 wickets at an economy rate of 9.00.
- Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) – Further honed his bowling skills.
- SA20 League 2025 – Trained as a net bowler with MI Cape Town, gaining insights from Rashid Khan.
Switching to Spin: The Turning Point
Initially a medium-pacer, Vignesh’s transformation into a
left-arm wrist-spinner proved to be the game-changer in his career. He focused on perfecting his variations, flight, and control, which eventually caught the attention of Mumbai Indians’ scouts.
Vignesh Puthur’s IPL 2025 Auction and Mumbai Indians Selection
Mumbai Indians’ scouts spotted his potential, and he was picked up for
INR 30 lakh at the
IPL 2025 Mega Auction. Despite modest performances in domestic leagues, his ability to trouble big names like
Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma in MI’s nets convinced the management to give him a chance.
Mumbai Indians’ decision to invest in raw talent like Puthur is part of their long-term strategy of grooming young cricketers. With the right guidance from MI’s coaching staff, he has the potential to develop into a top-class spinner.
Dream Debut for Mumbai Indians vs CSK
Match Highlights: MI vs CSK, IPL 2025
- Opponent: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Venue: Chepauk Stadium
- Performance: 4 overs, 32 runs, 3 wickets
- Key Wickets:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (53 off 22) – Caught in the deep by Will Jacks
- Shivam Dube (18 off 12) – Caught at long-on by Tilak Varma
- Deepak Hooda (3 runs) – Clean bowled
Despite MI losing the match, Vignesh’s performance was the biggest talking point.
MS Dhoni and MI’s coaching staff praised his composure and control under pressure. His ability to hold his nerve against experienced players in his very first IPL match suggests that he has a bright future ahead.
Mumbai Indians’ Bowling Coach on Vignesh Puthur
Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach,
Paras Mhambrey, revealed:
“He was bowling exceptionally well in the nets, troubling some of the best batters. We knew he had the potential, and we backed him to deliver.”
This trust from the MI management and coaching staff is a huge boost for Puthur as he looks to cement his place in the team.
The Road Ahead for Vignesh Puthur in IPL 2025
After his brilliant debut, cricket fans are eager to see how Vignesh Puthur progresses in the IPL. Can he continue to impress and cement his place in the MI playing XI?
With IPL being a platform for young talent to showcase their abilities, Puthur’s next challenge will be maintaining consistency. If he continues to deliver strong performances, he could become a key part of MI’s bowling attack and even get a call-up to the Indian team in the future.
FAQs
1. Who is Vignesh Puthur?
Vignesh Puthur is a
24-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner from
Malappuram, Kerala, who made his IPL debut for
Mumbai Indians in 2025 despite having no prior professional T20 experience.
2. How did Mumbai Indians discover Vignesh Puthur?
MI scouts noticed his talent in domestic leagues like
Kerala Cricket League (KCL) and during net sessions where he troubled star batters like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.
3. What were Vignesh Puthur’s IPL debut match stats?
In his debut against CSK, he took
3 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda.
4. What is Vignesh Puthur’s playing style?
He is a
left-arm wrist-spinner known for his variations, flighted deliveries, and ability to deceive batters with his turn.
5. What’s next for Vignesh Puthur in IPL 2025?
If he continues to perform well, he could become a key spinner for
Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL season and a future star in Indian cricket.
A New Star in the Making
Vignesh Puthur’s story is a testament to how hard work, dedication, and perseverance can lead to success. From humble beginnings in Kerala to making an impact on the grand stage of IPL, his journey is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers across the country.
His debut in
IPL 2025 has already created a buzz, and if he continues to impress, we might soon see him don the
Indian jersey in international cricket. Keep an eye on this young spinner as he looks set to make waves in the cricketing world.
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