Who is Vignesh Puthur, the left-arm wrist Kerala spinner who replaced Rohit Sharma as MI’s impact sub against CSK and took 3 wickets

Vignesh Puthur, a 24-year-old left-arm wrist spinner from Malappuram in Kerala, made a stunning IPL debut for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. He took three wickets, including those of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube, and finished with impressive figures of 3/32 in his four overs.

Who is Vignesh Puthur?

Puthur was signed by Mumbai Indians (MI) for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Despite not playing for Kerala at the senior level, Puthur has represented the state in the U-14 and U-19 categories. He currently plays for Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League and has also participated in the Tamil Nadu Premier League.

Puthur's journey to the IPL is inspiring, especially considering his humble background. His father is an autorickshaw driver, and his mother is a homemaker. Initially, Puthur bowled medium pace, but a local cricketer, Mohammed Sherif, suggested he try leg spin, which changed the course of his career.

Puthur's talent earned him a spot in the Kerala College Premier T20 league, where he excelled playing for St. Thomas College. He was also sent to South Africa for the SA20, where he worked as a net bowler for MI Cape Town.