The Rise of Vignesh Puthur: From Perinthalmanna Streets to IPL Spotlight
If you’ve spent time following IPL 2025, there’s no way you missed the buzz around Vignesh Puthur. Born in a small town in Kerala, this 24-year-old’s journey is anything but ordinary. His father, Sunil Kumar, drives an auto-rickshaw through the roads of Perinthalmanna, while his mother, K.P. Bindhu, manages the home. Yet, despite everyday struggles, their son is suddenly the talk of Indian cricket after a sensational debut for the Mumbai Indians.
What stands out about Vignesh’s story is how early cricket entered his life. By eleven, he was already showing a spark under his first coach, Vijayan. Fast forward to today, and Puthur is pursuing an MA in Literature—yes, he juggles study and sports, refusing to put either on the back burner. But cricket remained his main passion, guiding him through local age-group teams: Kerala’s U14, U19, and U23 squads, and then the Kerala Cricket League, where he turned out for Alleppey Ripples.
Money was always tight. Training fees and equipment didn’t come cheap, but Vignesh’s parents never let obstacles derail their son’s drive. They backed his dream, whether it meant waking up before dawn or skipping out on personal expenses to cover cricket gear.
The Game Changer: Mumbai Indians and a Debut That Shook the IPL
What really set Vignesh apart? His left-arm wrist spin—a bowling art so rare that even seasoned batters admit to struggling against it. He caught the eyes of Mumbai Indians when he bowled for MI Cape Town as a net bowler. Not many get noticed in the practice nets, but Vignesh's sharp turn and confidence on the field didn't escape the scouts. When the IPL 2025 Super Auction rolled around, MI snapped him up for ₹30 lakh, a huge leap for someone who hadn’t even played senior cricket for Kerala yet.
His debut couldn’t have been scripted better. On March 23, 2025, against the mighty Chennai Super Kings, Vignesh took out three key wickets—Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda. Each dismissal showed real nerve, not just luck. Suddenly, everyone from IPL fans to selectors were scrambling to learn more about this young spinner who came out of nowhere. Even more impressive: he did all this without the usual hype and pathway most first-class cricketers follow.
Puthur’s selection by Mumbai Indians is no accident. The franchise has built a reputation for digging up unknown gems, betting on skills more than big names. Vignesh is now living proof that the IPL is changing how we find Indian cricket talent: being from a modest background doesn't hold you back if you’ve got skill, hunger, and just a bit of luck. And for the fans watching the next generation step up, his story brings hope that the best might really be yet to come.
