Mumbai Indians’ scouting team has once again unearthed a promising talent in Vignesh Puthur, joining the ranks of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya as a rising star. The 24-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner from Kerala made an immediate impact in MI’s opening game of IPL 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Playing at the iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Vignesh performed wonderfully, picking up three important wickets within his first three overs, and sending back Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda.
A Left-Arm Spinner with a Mystery Factor
Just like Kuldeep Yadav in his style, Vignesh never hesitated to fly the ball and deceive high-grade batters with his turn and variations. His ability to extract bounce and spin from the surface troubled the opposition, claiming vital wickets. Gaikwad, Dube, and Hooda all fell while attempting to clear the boundaries, caught deep instead. Despite the tight game scenario, the young spinner demonstrated exceptional composure, and hence Mumbai Indians (MI) trusted him.
Vignesh made his debut as an Impact Replacement, for Rohit Sharma during the second innings, in a memorable IPL debut under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav.
Vignesh Puthur: Background and Early Cricket Journey
From Malappuram, Kerala, Vignesh is from a modest background. His father, Sunil Kumar, is a driver of autorickshaws, and his mother, K.P. Bindhu, is a homemaker. Even though they faced economic adversity, his family never let him down, encouraging his cricket dreams.
He began as a medium pacer in college cricket initially but later became a wrist-spinner. He did his Master of Arts in Literature at St Thomas College, Thrissur, where he developed his skills playing for the college team. His big break came playing for Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), which brought him into the limelight. He also demonstrated his ability in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and Kerala’s Under-23 side, though he has not played for Kerala at the senior level yet.
Mumbai Indians’ Discovery of Vignesh Puthur
Vignesh’s talent was first seen during his outings in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL). Mumbai Indians (MI) signed him for ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2025 auction, identifying him as a game-changer. For his development, MI shipped him off to South Africa for SA20 2025, where he was employed as a net bowler by MI Cape Town. There, he got the chance to practice under the tutelage of the great wrist-spinner Rashid Khan, sharpening his skills even more.
What Lies Ahead for Vignesh Puthur?
Vignesh Puthur early ascent has already drawn parallels to Kuldeep Yadav, and his bowling at the high 70 kph marks has caught the attention of experts such as Harsha Bhogle. When the IPL 2025 campaign begins, Mumbai Indians will focus on unleashing his full capabilities and keeping him in the spotlight as a fresh mystery spinner.
With his stellar debut and the support of one of the most successful franchises in the IPL, Vignesh Puthur is bound to be an important player to watch out for this season
