Mumbai Indians’ New Star: Vignesh Puthur Impresses with Match-Winning Spell
Left-arm wristspinners stole the show in Chennai’s opening match of IPL 2025, and among them, a complete unknown emerged as a standout performer. Vignesh Puthur, a 24-year-old from Kerala, had never played a senior-level T20 match before his debut for Mumbai Indians (MI). However, his performance against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defied expectations. He claimed three crucial wickets—Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda—keeping MI’s hopes alive in their defense of 155 runs.
Mumbai Indians’ Strategy: Spotting Talent Over Experience
MI’s bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, shed light on the thought process behind selecting Puthur. “At MI, we always prioritize potential over past records,” he explained. “When we watched him during trials, we saw his ability to spin the ball consistently, land deliveries accurately, and execute variations like the googly.”
Puthur’s accuracy and uniqueness as a wristspinner caught the scouting team’s attention, making him a prime candidate for MI’s bowling attack. Despite his lack of T20 experience, his skill set promised the ability to trouble top-tier batters.
A Dream Debut: Taking Down Key Batters
Puthur was introduced as an Impact Player in the second innings, bowling outside the powerplay when CSK had already scored a significant portion of their target. His first major scalp was Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had already crossed fifty runs and was anchoring CSK’s chase. Attempting to clear the straight boundary off a tossed-up delivery, Gaikwad mistimed his shot and was dismissed.
Dube and Hooda followed soon after, struggling to capitalize on Puthur’s deceptive deliveries. Though the balls seemed hittable, Puthur’s variation in pace made it difficult for batters to time their shots correctly. His effectiveness was evident not just against CSK but also in MI’s practice sessions.
“When Rohit [Sharma], Surya[kumar Yadav], and Tilak [Varma] faced him in the nets, they found it challenging to read him,” Mhambrey revealed. “That gave us the confidence to include him in this crucial match.”
Handling Pressure Like a Pro
Playing against a team as formidable as CSK in his debut match was no easy task, but Puthur showed immense composure. “It’s never easy making your debut against CSK, but the way he handled the pressure was commendable,” Mhambrey said. “He kept his nerves, executed his plans, and truly brought MI back into the game.”
Puthur’s journey to the IPL was far from ordinary. He attended MI’s trials before the auction and was acquired for INR 30 lakh. To accelerate his development, MI sent him to South Africa as a net bowler for MI Cape Town, where he got exposure to international-level competition.
Learning from the Best: MI’s Grooming Process
Beyond honing his skills, Puthur benefited immensely from conversations with MI’s seasoned players and coaches. “At this stage, it’s less about skill development and more about absorbing knowledge from legends like Mahela Jayawardene, Kieron Pollard, and senior batters like Rohit and Surya,” Mhambrey stated.
The young spinner took every opportunity to learn, often finding himself in awe of sharing a dressing room with players he once idolized. “For many youngsters, sitting next to Rohit Sharma is a dream come true. But despite initial nerves, Puthur adapted quickly and never looked overwhelmed in the match.”
A Star in the Making
Vignesh Puthur’s IPL debut was nothing short of a fairytale. His ability to deceive batters, stay calm under pressure, and execute his skills at the highest level makes him a promising prospect for MI. With the right mentorship and continued opportunities, he could become one of the most valuable wristspinners in the tournament.
For MI, Puthur’s success reaffirms their belief in scouting raw talent and transforming them into match-winners. As the IPL 2025 season progresses, all eyes will be on this young spinner to see if he can maintain his momentum and establish himself as a force to reckon with in T20 cricket.
