IPL 2025: Who Is Vignesh Puthur—MI's Wrist Spinner Who Impressed On His Debut?
The 24-year-old from Malappuram, Kerala, was roped in by Mumbai Indians for his base price of Rs 30 lakh.
Mumbai Indians’ new spin sensation, Vignesh Puthur, made an impressive debut against Chennai Super Kings in the Sunday encounter of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The left-arm wrist spinner, who hails from Kerala, was brought in as MI’s impact player, replacing Rohit Sharma. Puthur left a mark on the game, claiming the crucial wickets of CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube.
Introduced into the attack at a crucial juncture, Puthur struck immediately, removing Gaikwad in his first over. Gaikwad mistimed a shot that landed straight into the hands of Will Jacks.
Puthur’s brilliance continued as he dismissed Shivam Dube, who failed to connect well, leading to a comfortable catch by Tilak Varma at long-on. The young spinner added a third wicket to his tally, sending Deepak Hooda back for just three runs, wrapping up a remarkable first outing in the IPL.
Who Is Vignesh Puthur?
The 24-year-old from Malappuram, Kerala, was roped in by Mumbai Indians for his base price of Rs 30 lakh. Despite not yet representing Kerala at the senior level, Puthur has gained experience playing in the U-14 and U-19 categories.
His performances for Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League and appearances in the Tamil Nadu Premier League helped him earn recognition as an emerging talent in domestic cricket.
Puthur’s journey to the IPL was not conventional. Originally a medium pacer, he was encouraged to switch to leg spin by local cricketer Mohammed Sherif. This transformation led him to Thrissur, where he made a name for himself in the Kerala College Premier T20 League while representing St. Thomas College.
Earlier this year, Mumbai Indians sent him to South Africa as a net bowler for MI Cape Town in the SA20 tournament, further honing his skills on an international platform.
Born into a modest family, Puthur’s father drives an autorickshaw while his mother is a homemaker.
Despite Puthur’s heroics, Mumbai Indians fell short in their IPL 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings. Fifties from Rachin Ravindra (65 not out ) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (53) steered CSK to a four-wicket victory. Earlier, Mumbai Indians scored 155/9.
