Vignesh Puthur, the Mumbai Indians debutant, might have ended up on the losing side against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday but the young left-arm-spinner would still go back home with a smile. After scalping three wickets for 32 runs, Vignesh Puthur got a pat on the back by none other than MS Dhoni.
The men in
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 23, 2025take home the honours!
A classic clash in Chennai ends in the favour of #CSK
Scorecardhttps://t.co/QlMj4G7kV0#TATAIPL | #CSKvMI | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/ZGPkkmsRHe
Mumbai’s new star
Vignesh Puthur picked 3 wickets – Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda before he was pulled out of the attack. MI’s stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav held him back till the 18th over when he conceded 15 runs including two sixes to the well-set Rachin Ravindra, allowing CSK to seal the game.
MS Dhoni, who walked into bat after Ravindra Jadeja was run out, faced just two balls and did not score a run but he made sure he met Vignesh Puthur on his way back to the CSK dug-out and patted the 24-year-old spin sensation from Kerala.
Dhoni had a brief chat with Vignesh Puthur, who is now certain to become a household name after a stellar first night in the IPL. He made his name with some impressive performances in the Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Premier League.
Who is Vignesh Puthur?
Vignesh Puthur is a promising all-rounder from Malappuram, Kerala, who has risen through the ranks of domestic cricket despite financial challenges. Born on March 2, 2001, he is the son of an autorickshaw driver and a homemaker. Initially starting as a medium pacer during his college cricket days, Vignesh transitioned to spin bowling, specializing in slow left-arm orthodox. His performances for St. Thomas College in Thrissur and teams like Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League brought him into the spotlight.
In the Kerala Cricket League 2024, Vignesh showcased his bowling skills by taking 13 wickets in 16 matches, with a best figure of 3-38. While his batting contributions have been limited, he has maintained a strike rate above 70. His adaptability and determination have earned him recognition in tournaments like the Tamil Nadu Premier League and TCM KCA Club Championship.
Mumbai Indians scouted Vignesh during his domestic appearances and bought him for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction. Earlier this year, he trained as a net bowler for MI Cape Town in SA20 alongside Rashid Khan, refining his skills further. With guidance from top players and franchises, Vignesh could be a star of Indian cricket.
