Lack of T20 experience didn’t faze MI’s Vignesh Puthur, who shone on his IPL debut.

Unknown No More: Vignesh Puthur Makes a Memorable Debut for MI Despite No T20 Experience

Left-arm wristspinners stole the show in Chennai’s IPL 2025 opener, but while Noor Ahmad’s 4 for 18 came as no surprise, it was the emergence of an unfamiliar name that caught everyone’s attention.

Vignesh Puthur, a 24-year-old from Kerala with no senior-level T20 experience, nearly tilted the match in Mumbai Indians’ favour. On debut, Puthur dismissed a well-set Ruturaj Gaikwad, spin-hitter Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda—giving MI a glimmer of hope while defending a modest 155. For a brief period, Chepauk held its breath.

So, how did a complete newcomer end up making such an impact on one of the IPL’s biggest stages?

Paras Mhambrey, MI’s bowling coach, explained the thinking behind Puthur’s selection. “At MI, it’s all about spotting potential,” he said. “During one of our trials, what stood out wasn’t his experience, but his skill. He lands the ball where you want it, spins it consistently, and has variations like the googly. He’s different—and that’s what drew us in.”

Puthur was introduced as an Impact Player in the second innings, with CSK already well past the 50-run mark. He began bowling outside the powerplay, and despite Chennai’s strong start, he made an immediate impact. He lured Gaikwad into a mistimed loft down the ground, then got the better of Dube and Hooda in quick succession. While the deliveries weren’t express pace, their subtle lack of speed may have thrown off the batters’ timing.

“It’s not just the opposition—our own guys like Rohit, Surya, and Tilak found it tough to face him in the nets,” Mhambrey revealed. “That gave us the confidence to back him in a high-pressure match. And the way he handled himself—first game, against CSK, in Chennai—was outstanding. He held his nerve and got us back in the contest. Hats off to him.”

Puthur’s journey to the IPL began with MI trials before the 2025 auction. He was picked up for INR 30 lakh and traveled with MI Cape Town as a net bowler during the SA20. That exposure to elite-level cricket accelerated his growth.

“The key to his development has been more about the conversations than technical work,” Mhambrey said. “He’s had the chance to learn from people like Mahela [Jayawardene], Pollard, Rohit, Surya… that sort of access is priceless. He’s like a sponge—soaking everything in. Yes, he’s been nervous at times, but that’s natural. Imagine watching your heroes on TV and suddenly sharing a dressing room with them.”

Despite being relatively unknown before this game, Puthur showed composure beyond his years. “From the first ball, he never looked overwhelmed,” Mhambrey added. “That’s the most impressive part—how calmly he handled the pressure.”

While MI couldn’t pull off the win, they may have unearthed a hidden gem in Vignesh Puthur—a debut that promises much more to come.

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