Kerala’s Vignesh Puthur is emerging as one of the standout performers for Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2025, despite not being a regular four-over bowler. In a bowling lineup packed with experience and star power, Vignesh has carved out a unique role for himself — not as a volume bowler, but as a tactical weapon deployed to disrupt crucial partnerships. In his four appearances so far, the left-arm wrist spinner has delivered just two full spells, yet has consistently delivered breakthroughs when his team needed them the most.
Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Vignesh was introduced in the 10th over, when Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal were threatening to take the game away. Kohli smashed him for a six early in the over, but the young spinner kept his composure. On the final ball of the over, Padikkal misjudged a slower delivery and ended up offering a catch to Will Jacks near the boundary — ending a dangerous 91-run stand. Similarly, in the match against Lucknow Super Giants, Vignesh was brought in just after the powerplay to face Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. While Marsh was going strong at a strike rate of 200, he misread a deceptive wrong’un and holed out in the deep, thanks to Vignesh’s sharp bowling.
His impact was first seen during MI’s season opener at Chepauk against Chennai Super Kings, where he claimed three wickets, including the vital dismissal of CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to break a 67-run partnership. Vignesh’s ability to strike during key moments has made him a valuable asset in MI’s tactical arsenal. He recently set the record for the fastest Kerala-born bowler to claim five wickets in the IPL and now has six wickets from just four matches. Remarkably, Vignesh is yet to feature for Kerala’s senior team, but his performances at the highest level suggest that it’s only a matter of time before he receives a call-up.
