In a rather underwhelming start to their IPL campaign which culminated in a four-wicket defeat, the Mumbai Indians were nevertheless able to witness the emergence of a new talent, Vignesh Pathur, whose performance captivated everyone. In a mere span of four overs he bowled against Chennai Super Kings, Pathur transformed from obscurity to prominence, claiming three crucial wickets, of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, and Shivam Dube.
Coming onto the field as an impact substitute for Rohit Sharma, he played a pivotal role in keeping Mumbai's hopes alive. Despite having no prior T20 experience with any senior team, the franchise placed their faith in his potential—and in doing so, they found their confidence richly rewarded.
Seven Fascinating Facts About Vignesh Puthur, Mumbai Indians' Rising Star
A Modest Beginning
Born on March 2, 2001, in Perinthalmanna, Kerala, Puthur grew up in a humble household, with his father, an auto-rickshaw driver, supporting the family. His cricketing journey began at the age of 11, as a medium pacer before transitioning to wrist spin. He trained at Malappuram District Cricket Academy before he moved to Thrissur, for his higher education. He pursued a Master of Arts in Literature at St Thomas College, and also played for the college's cricket team.
Success in Kerala Cricket League
His consistent performance for St Thomas College earned him a contract with Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League. This is where he caught the eye of Mumbai Indians' scout. While Puthur picked three wickets in those two matches, his remarkable control and accuracy impressed Mumbai Indians' scouts.
Trials With Mumbai Indians
After being scouted, Puthur underwent three trials with Mumbai Indians. His impeccable control and variations convinced MI’s coaching staff, including head coach Mahela Jayawardene, to put a punt on him. Mumbai Indians then sent him to South Africa, as a net bowler for their sister franchise MI Cape Town, where he had an opportunity to train under Rashid Khan.
Mumbai Acquire Him in Auction
When the accelerated round of the mega auction for IPL 2025 began, Puthur had turned off the television. With no senior experience, the chances of him getting an opportunity at the world's premier T20 competition seemed bleak. The 24-year-old spinner was stunned when he found out that Mumbai Indians picked him for ₹30 lakh. The modest price tag belied the impact he was poised to make.
Puzzling the MI Stars in the Nets
Before his debut, Puthur’s variations bamboozled MI’s marquee batsmen—Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Verma, and Hardik Pandya—during net sessions. This prompted the head coach Mahela Jayawardene to hand him an early debut, in MI's season-opener against their storied rivals CSK.
A Debut to Remember
Puthur’s IPL debut came yesterday (March 23) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he entered as an Impact Player. In just four overs, he snared three vital wickets, including CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube, announcing his arrival with flair. Puthur's ability to stay unfazed on a big occasion impressed everyone.
Recognition from MS Dhoni
Post-debut, Puthur earned accolades from none other than MS Dhoni, CSK’s iconic former captain, who gave a pat on the youngster's back.
