Image Credits: JioHotstarIn a tournament known for unearthing hidden gems, Mumbai Indians’ latest sensation, Vignesh Puthur, has announced his arrival in the IPL with a dream debut against Chennai Super Kings. The left-arm wrist spinner from Kerala, who hadn’t even played senior domestic cricket, stunned everyone with a three-wicket haul in three overs at Chepauk, dismissing key CSK batters Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda.
Who is Vignesh Puthur?
Hailing from Malappuram, Kerala, Vignesh Puthur started his cricket journey at just 11 years old. His slightly unorthodox bowling action and raw talent saw him rise through the local ranks. His first big break came in the Kerala Cricket League, where he represented Alleppey Ripples. Though he managed just three wickets in the tournament, Mumbai Indians’ scouts were quick to recognize his potential and invited him for trials.
From trials to IPL contract
Mumbai Indians, known for backing young talent, took a leap of faith and signed Puthur at his base price for IPL 2025. Despite having no prior domestic experience, MI sent him to South Africa for training, covering all expenses to help him refine his skills. That investment paid off spectacularly in his debut match.
The dream debut against CSK
Introduced as Mumbai’s Impact Player, Vignesh wasted no time in making his presence felt. His first wicket was none other than CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (53 off 26 balls), who was batting with a strike rate of over 200. The dismissal slowed CSK’s momentum, and in his next over, he removed the dangerous Shivam Dube (9 off 7 balls).
Just when CSK looked to rebuild, Puthur struck again, sending Deepak Hooda back to the pavilion. He finished with figures of 3-0-14-3, making him one of the biggest talking points of the night.
A rising star for Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians have built a reputation for nurturing future stars, and with his dream debut, Vignesh Puthur could be the next big thing in Indian cricket. From being a relatively unknown name in Kerala league cricket to becoming MI’s X-factor at Chepauk, Puthur’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.
With this performance, the young spinner has certainly put the IPL on notice—Mumbai may have just found their next match-winner.
