Vignesh Puthur. (Photo Source: JioHotstar)

made his debut in the Indian Premier League by coming in for Rohit Sharma during Mumbai Indians' game against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 23. He was among MI's five Impact Players enlisted for their clash against their arch-rivals on Sunday, March 23.

The 24-year-old was bagged by for INR 30 lakh in the mega auction in Jeddah last year. Interestingly enough, the young left-arm wrist-spinner has not played for Kerala at the senior level up until now. However, MI's scouts were impressed by the youngster's performance in the 2025 edition of the Kerala Cricket League in September previous year. 

The youngster represented Alleppey Ripples during KCL 2024.

Despite claiming just three wickets in two games, his unique bowling style made a solid impression on MI's recruitment team. Shortly after, he was called up to showcase his proficiency in three trials conducted by MI. 

A son of an autorickshaw driver, Sunil Kumar P, and homemaker, Bindhu PK, Puthur's childhood journey is inspirational. A short time after getting roped in by MI for , he elaborated on the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced during the auction process conducted in 2024. 

"I switched off my TV before the accelerated round of auction began and was preparing to sleep when one of my friends called me and told me that I had been bought by MI. At first, I thought they were trying to play a prank on me. I scrolled the website and saw my name in the Mumbai Indians squad.

It was unbelievable," stated Puthur, as quoted by Times Of India. 

The budding talent had also spoken on his cricket career as a youngster in addition to how he transitioned into bowling left-arm wrist-spin on the advice of a local club cricketer named Mohammed Sherif.

"At that time, I didn't know what 'chinaman' was. I kept working on my deliveries and got into the Malappuram District Cricket Academy three years later. I also played for Kerala at the U-14 and U-19 levels but never progressed further and played for Jolly Rovers, Perinthalmanna at the club level," added Puthur.

Puthur, who idolises Kuldeep Yadav, also revealed his interaction with head coach, Mahela Jayawardane, during his first trial with the franchise. 

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“Mahela sir knew I was nervous, so he came up to me and advised me to take it easy, and I became more confident. I attended two more trials. I was hoping that they would take me as a nets bowler,” noted Vignesh. 

 

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“Mahela sir knew I was nervous, so he came up to me and advised me to take it easy, and I became more confident. I attended two more trials. I was hoping that they would take me as a nets bowler,” noted Vignesh.