Vignesh Puthur: The Kerala Boy Everyone Talking About
Cricket fans across the world celebrated a blockbuster match between arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians on Sunday in their first match of IPL 2025. In the high-voltage encounter, Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious. However, despite being on the losing side, Mumbai Indians’ young spinner Vignesh Puthur caught the attention of MS Dhoni with his stupendous performance.
While shaking hands with everyone, Dhoni gave an adorable pat on Vignesh’s back and applauded him for his heroic IPL debut. Witnessing this wonderful gesture, commentator Ravi Shastri remarked, “A pat on the shoulder for young Vignesh Puthur. I don’t think he will forget it for a long time.”
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Ever since, the internet has been buzzing with one question: Who is this young spinner Vignesh Puthur, who has impressed the cricketing audience by taking the wickets of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube?
Puthur, the 24-year-old spinner, hails from the small village of Perinthalmanna in Malappuram, Kerala. He was signed by Mumbai Indians for the base price of ₹30 lakh. The youngster has not yet played for Kerala at the senior level but has represented the state in U-14 and U-19 categories. Currently, he plays for Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League and has previously played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League.
Puthur is the son of an autorickshaw driver and a homemaker. Initially a medium-pace bowler, he switched to leg-spin after being advised by local cricketer Mohammed Sherif, a decision that ultimately changed the course of his career. He later moved to Thrissur, where he became a standout performer in the Kerala College Premier T20 League for St. Thomas College.
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Earlier this year, he was sent to South Africa for the SA20, where he served as a net bowler for Mumbai Indians Cape Town. When Mumbai Indians invited him for trials, Puthur had the opportunity to perform in front of legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene, IPL star Kieron Pollard, and Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya. He fondly recalls Pandya personally congratulating him with a “well done” after one of the trials.
