Kerala’s Vignesh Puthur Breaks Barriers with a Dazzling IPL Debut
Stories like Vignesh Puthur’s don’t come around often in the glitzy world of professional cricket. At 24, and without a single domestic match to his name, this left-arm wristspinner from Kerala made his entry straight into the IPL—a stage where experience usually counts for everything. His debut for Mumbai Indians against the mighty Chennai Super Kings wasn’t a quiet one. He snatched three wickets, each more impressive considering his rapid rise and the weight of the opposition.
Born and raised in a modest home in Kerala, with his father driving an auto-rickshaw for a living, Puthur’s journey is something straight out of a Bollywood script. His family stood firmly behind him, but few could have imagined they’d see him bowling to international stars, let alone toppling them. Vignesh’s climb didn’t follow any textbook pattern, bypassing the usual grind of Ranji and state-level tournaments. He simply turned up at Mumbai Indians’ pre-season trials and made seasoned batters look unsure—especially players like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who struggle only against the rarest of spinners.
MI bowling coach Paras Mhambrey didn’t take long to notice his Vignesh Puthur’s grip on the craft. Puthur spun the ball hard, landed it accurately, and his googly? It kept batters guessing every time. This raw talent is exactly what modern T20 teams crave, and MI didn’t hesitate—snapping him up for ₹30 lakh in the 2025 auction. The cricketing world raised eyebrows. No domestic matches? Just net heroics? The MI staff knew what they had caught in their net.
Debut Drama: CSK’s Seasoned Batters and a Young Spinner’s Magic
No one expected fireworks when Puthur was handed the ball, especially not against Chennai Super Kings—a team that chews up inexperienced bowlers for breakfast. Yet, he worked some serious magic. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK skipper known for his calm under fire, was Puthur’s first big fish. Next came Shivam Dube, followed by Deepak Hooda. Each wicket seemed to grow the legend on debut, even as Mumbai Indians eventually lost after posting 155.
His performance triggered a new buzz, not just among fans, but seasoned pros as well. MS Dhoni, CSK legend and mentor, was spotted chatting with Puthur at the end of the match—a clip that instantly went viral. There was that familiar gesture of encouragement and respect that only comes when a rookie not only survives but shines under the big lights.
Puthur’s selection wasn’t just about potential, it was about a new era in Indian cricket scouting. Mumbai Indians put faith in their talent-spotting, and in a single night, Puthur repaid it with skill and nerves. Don’t be surprised if this debut changes how franchises hunt for future stars, especially those from cricket’s untapped corners. For every struggling local cricketer dreaming big, Puthur’s sudden arrival is now the ultimate reason to keep at it.
