Who Is Vignesh Puthur? The New Find Of Mumbai Indians

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has once again proven to be a stage where young, lesser-known talents can shine alongside some of the biggest names in cricket. In a high-octane clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk, one name stole the limelight—Vignesh Puthur, a 24-year-old chinaman bowler from Malappuram, Kerala.

With an impressive debut performance, scalping 3/32 against a star-studded CSK batting lineup, Vignesh’s journey from a small town to one of the world’s biggest cricketing leagues is nothing short of inspirational. His story is one of resilience, raw talent, and the power of Mumbai Indians’ scouting system that has consistently unearthed hidden gems like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya in the past.

Let’s dive deep into Vignesh Puthur’s remarkable journey, from humble beginnings to rubbing shoulders with cricketing legends.

A Humble Beginning: The Boy from Malappuram Who Dared to Dream

Every cricketer’s story begins somewhere, and for Vignesh Puthur, it started in the narrow streets of Malappuram, Kerala. Born on March 2, 2001, to Sunil Kumar, an auto-rickshaw driver, and K.P. Bindhu, a homemaker, Vignesh’s life was far from easy. Financial struggles were a constant reality, but that never deterred him or his family from chasing his cricketing dream.

Vignesh’s cricketing journey began on local grounds, where he initially played as a medium pacer. However, recognizing his natural wrist action and the lack of chinaman (left-arm unorthodox spin) bowlers in Kerala cricket, his coach, local cricketer Mohammed Sherif, advised him to switch to spin bowling.

Education and Balancing Cricket

While honing his skills in cricket, Vignesh also excelled academically. He pursued his education at St. Thomas College, Thrissur, where he juggled between his Master of Arts in Literature and rigorous cricket training. This phase of his life tested his discipline, determination, and passion for the game.

Despite financial hardships, his family’s unwavering support and his own relentless dedication kept him going. He soon began making a name for himself in local tournaments, catching the attention of Kerala Cricket League (KCL) scouts.

Mumbai Indians’ Scouting Team Recognizes a Hidden Gem

The Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise is known for its world-class scouting system, and it was during the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) that their scouts took notice of Vignesh. Even though he had never played at the senior level for Kerala, MI saw something special in him.

During the IPL 2025 Auction, Mumbai Indians made a strategic move, securing Vignesh for his base price of ₹30 lakh. This was a testament to MI’s commitment to scouting beyond mainstream players and investing in raw talent.

The MI Legacy of Talent Spotting

Mumbai Indians’ scouting team has unearthed several game-changing players over the years. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, and Nehal Wadhera are prime examples of how MI identifies and nurtures young talent.

Nita Ambani, the franchise’s founder-chairperson, has always emphasized that MI is not just about superstars but about creating them. And with Vignesh’s selection, MI once again proved why they are one of the smartest teams in terms of talent acquisition.

Training with Legends: Vignesh’s Preparation for the Big Stage

After being picked by MI, Vignesh was sent to South Africa to train with MI Cape Town as a net bowler during the SA20 tournament. This turned out to be a game-changing experience for the young spinner, as he got the opportunity to train alongside world-class cricketers, most notably Rashid Khan.

Learning from Rashid Khan and MI’s Coaching Staff

During his time with MI Cape Town, Vignesh:
✅ Trained under Rashid Khan, learning about wrist-spin variations
✅ Worked closely with MI’s spin bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey
✅ Bowled to Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan in practice matches
✅ Received technical inputs from head coach Mahela Jayawardene

His time in South Africa helped him develop a sharper game sense, better control, and a fearless attitude—qualities that would later shine on his IPL debut.

The Big Debut: Vignesh Puthur Shines Against CSK

On April 2025, in a blockbuster clash between MI and CSK at Chepauk, Vignesh was handed his debut cap. He was introduced as an Impact Player, replacing a batter in the second innings to bowl against CSK’s star-studded lineup.

With MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda in the opposition, it was a baptism by fire for the young spinner. But Vignesh thrived under pressure.

His Magical Spell (3/32) Against CSK

First Wicket (Ruturaj Gaikwad) – Vignesh struck in his very first over, trapping the CSK captain with a perfectly tossed-up delivery that turned just enough to beat the bat.
Second Wicket (Shivam Dube) – The hard-hitting Dube, known for his big sixes, was outfoxed by Vignesh’s flighted delivery and ended up holing out to long-on.
Third Wicket (Deepak Hooda) – A sharp delivery with extra bounce saw Hooda miscue his shot straight to cover, sealing a dream debut for Vignesh.

His variations, control, and fearless approach were praised by commentators and former players alike. Even MS Dhoni, known for his astute cricketing mind, took a moment to acknowledge the young spinner’s talent after the match.

Reactions and Future Prospects

Praise from Cricket Legends and Teammates

🏏 MS Dhoni: “He has a bright future. The way he handled pressure in his first game shows his maturity.”
🏏 Rohit Sharma: “We’ve got a serious talent in Vignesh. Looking forward to seeing him grow.”
🏏 Mahela Jayawardene: “He has the hunger to succeed, and that’s what we want in our young players.”

Social media was flooded with praise for Vignesh’s debut, with fans calling him MI’s next big spin sensation.

What’s Next for Vignesh Puthur?

With a stellar IPL debut, the expectations from Vignesh are now sky-high. Can he maintain this consistency and become a regular match-winner for Mumbai Indians?

Challenges Ahead

Adapting to different conditions – He will need to adjust to different pitches across India.
Handling pressure in crunch moments – Consistency is key, especially in high-stakes IPL games.
Developing variations – A lethal googly and better control of his flipper can make him even more dangerous.

With MI’s backing and the right mentorship, Vignesh has the potential to become a mainstay in both IPL and, eventually, the Indian national team.

A Star in the Making

Vignesh Puthur’s rise from the streets of Malappuram to the IPL spotlight is nothing short of extraordinary. His grit, dedication, and raw talent make him a player to watch in IPL 2025 and beyond.

His stunning debut against CSK is just the beginning. If he continues on this trajectory, Indian cricket might have found its next spin wizard.

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