Malappuram: Kerala’s own Vignesh Puthur made a dream debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, stepping in as Mumbai Indians’ impact player against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The 19-year-old left-arm unorthodox spinner, also known as a Chinaman bowler, replaced Rohit Sharma and delivered an impressive performance by taking three key wickets.
Vignesh made an instant impact by dismissing Chennai Super Kings’ captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda. His brilliant spell helped Mumbai Indians stay in contention despite Chennai’s strong batting lineup.
A Rising Star from Kerala
Vignesh Puthur, who was signed by Mumbai Indians for ₹30 lakhs during the IPL 2025 auction, made headlines as one of the latest emerging talents from Kerala. Interestingly, he has yet to make an appearance for Kerala’s senior team but has already showcased his skills at the Under-14, Under-19, and Under-23 levels.
The young spinner first gained recognition in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) T20 tournament, where he played for Alleppey Ripples. Despite playing only three matches, his performances caught the attention of IPL scouts, paving the way for his big break in the league.
Match Summary: MI vs CSK IPL 2025 Opener
Despite Vignesh’s heroics with the ball, Mumbai Indians struggled with the bat in their opening match of IPL 2025. Mumbai managed to post 155/9 in 20 overs, with CSK’s bowlers delivering a strong performance. In response, Chennai Super Kings were at 99/3 in 10 overs, looking comfortable in their chase of 156 runs in 20 overs.
With his debut performance making headlines, cricket fans in Kerala and across India will be eager to see how Vignesh Puthur’s journey unfolds in the IPL.
