Vignesh Puthur: In IPL 2025, Mumbai Indians included Vignesh Puthur as an impact player in their first match against Chennai Super Kings, defending a target of 156 runs. As soon as he stepped on the field, he showcased his spin magic, dismissing CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. He then sent Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda back to the pavilion, putting Chennai on the backfoot. This performance left fans curious to know more about this young talent.

Young Spinner from Kerala Impresses

23-year-old Vignesh Puthur hails from Malappuram, Kerala. His father is an auto-rickshaw driver. Mumbai Indians spotted his talent and bought him for ₹30 lakh. The left-arm wrist spinner made an immediate impact on his IPL debut, taking 3 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs.

Made an Impact in His First Over

Vignesh started strong by dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad in his very first over. Gaikwad mistimed a full-length delivery outside off-stump, handing an easy catch to Will Jacks. In his second over, Shivam Dube was caught, followed by Deepak Hooda, who was caught at deep square leg while attempting a slog sweep.

Has Not Played Senior-Level Cricket for Kerala

Vignesh has yet to represent Kerala at the senior level. He has played at the U-14 and U-19 levels. He was also a part of Kerala Cricket League (KCL) with Alleppey Ripples, where he took two wickets in three matches. Later, he participated in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

Converted from a Pacer to a Spinner

Initially, Vignesh bowled both medium pace and spin. However, local cricketer Mohammed Sheriff advised him to focus on leg-spin bowling. He was unfamiliar with ‘Chinaman’ bowling but worked hard on his craft. To advance his career, he moved to Thrissur and played for St. Thomas College, where he became one of the leading wicket-takers in the Kerala College Premier T20 League. His outstanding performance for Jolly Rovers Cricket Club earned him a spot in KCL’s Alleppey Ripples, which proved to be a turning point in his career.