Who is Vignesh Puthur? MI talent who caught Dhoni’s attention in IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians began their IPL 2025 campaign with a defeat against Chennai Super kings. But the five-time IPL champions did discover a team in the guise of Vignesh Puthur. The 24-year-old Malappuram left-arm wrist spinner impressed in his very first IPL match. His performance impressed not just by leaving a lasting impression but also garnered praise from MS Dhoni.

How did Vignesh Puthur join Mumbai Indians squad?

Vignesh Puthur is the son of Kerala's Autorickshaw driver, who never got to play senior-level cricket. Having begun life as a medium pace bowler, Puthur switched over to spin upon the advice of Kerala cricketer Mohammed Sherif, something that turned around his life.
The youngster worked hard in local leagues and college tournaments, Puthur's performances for St. Thomas College in the Kerala College Premier T20 League and a short stint at Jolly Rovers Cricket Club impressed Mumbai Indians. Though humble figures in the Kerala Cricket League where he obtained just two wickets in three games MI scouts identified potential in him. The franchise signed him up at the IPL 2025 mega auction for ₹30 lakh.

Mumbai Indians’ New Sensation

After coming into the field as impact sub for Rohit Sharma, Vignesh did provide tough time to CSK batsmen with his left arm spin. Puthur, was instrumental in troubling CSK's middle order His first major wicket was that of CSK's skipper and star batsman, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was caught at long-off by Will Jacks after attempting to take him on. But that was not it Puthur then got rid of Shivam Dube, a threat batter, with an astute ball that caused Dube to mishit a shot directly into the hands of Tilak Varma at long-on. And after Deepak Hooda got dismissed soon after, Puthur had picked up three wickets on debut and proved himself to be a fine young player.