Mumbai Indians may have started their IPL 2025 campaign with a defeat, but the match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday provided a silver lining with the emergence of underdog spinner Vignesh Puthur, who announced himself on the big stage of IPL with a three-wicket haul on debut. (Photos: MI Cape Town/Screengrab/X)
Updated On: 2025-03-24 07:32 PM IST
Compiled by : Srijanee Majumdar
Puthur’s spell was nothing short of remarkable, as he dismantled key CSK batters, including skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (53), Shivam Dube (9), and Deepak Hooda (3). His deceptive variations and precise execution left the opposition struggling, preventing them from clearing the ropes
Hailing from Mallapuram, Kerala, Puthur's journey to the IPL has been nothing short of inspirational. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in English Literature at PTM Govt College Perinthalmanna under Calicut University, he comes from a modest background
Puthur's father earns a living as an autorickshaw driver, while his mother is a homemaker. With a successful training stint behind him, Puthur returned to the IPL ready to prove his mettle
Despite not having played First-Class cricket, apart from a brief stint in the Kerala Cricket League and the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Puthur’s raw talent caught the attention of Mumbai Indians. Recognising his potential, the franchise wasted no time in bringing him on board, signing him for his base price of Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction
Once drafted into the MI setup, Puthur’s development accelerated rapidly. He immersed himself in the world-class training environment, interacting with experienced coaches, studying match analytics, and refining his skills with access to cutting-edge facilities
Puthur's journey took a significant leap when he attended MI's selection trials in November, ahead of the auction. Following his selection, he was sent to train with MI Cape Town, the SA20 champions, where he honed his craft under some of the best mentors in the game
Spending a month in South Africa, Puthur bowled alongside MI Cape Town skipper Rashid Khan and worked closely with legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who took a keen interest in his progress. The mentorship proved invaluable as the two developed a strong rapport, helping Puthur sharpen his skills for the big stage