Key Points:
- Debut Performance: Mumbai Indians’ 24-year-old spinner Vignesh Puthur claimed three crucial wickets in his IPL debut against Chennai Super Kings.
- Dhoni’s Gesture: MS Dhoni patted Vignesh on the back post-match, appreciating his impactful performance.
- Background: Hailing from Kerala, Vignesh was signed by MI for ₹30 lakh and has no prior domestic cricket experience.
New Delhi: The IPL 2025 clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chepauk saw the emergence of a new talent Vignesh Puthur. The 24-year-old left-arm wrist spinner from Kerala made a remarkable debut as an Impact Player for MI, taking three key wickets and rattling CSK’s middle order. Despite MI’s narrow defeat, Vignesh’s performance was the highlight of the match.
Match Highlights: CSK vs MI
Mumbai Indians batted first and set a modest target of 156 runs, with stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav contributing 29 runs before being stumped by MS Dhoni. CSK’s chase was powered by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (53 off 26) and Rachin Ravindra (65* off 45). However, Vignesh Puthur turned the tide momentarily for MI, dismissing Gaikwad in his very first over with a flighted delivery that caught the CSK skipper off guard.
Vignesh continued his stellar spell by removing Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda, finishing with figures of 3/32 in four overs. His efforts triggered a mini-collapse in CSK’s batting lineup, reducing them from 78/1 to 107/4. Ultimately, CSK recovered to secure a four-wicket victory with five balls to spare.
Dhoni’s Heartwarming Gesture
Post-match, Vignesh had a dream moment when cricket legend MS Dhoni approached him during the customary handshake session. Dhoni patted the youngster on the back and exchanged encouraging words, leaving Vignesh visibly starstruck. Commentator Ravi Shastri remarked, “Pat on the shoulder for young Vignesh Puthur. I don’t think he will forget it for a long time.”
The gesture quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising Dhoni for his sportsmanship and support for emerging talent.
Who is Vignesh Puthur?
Born on March 2, 2001, in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram district of Kerala, Vignesh’s journey to IPL stardom is one of perseverance. Coming from a modest background his father is an auto-rickshaw driver Vignesh balanced academics with cricket aspirations. He is currently pursuing an MA in Literature at PTM Government College in Perinthalmanna.
Vignesh transitioned from medium pace to spin bowling under local guidance and gained recognition through performances in the Kerala Cricket League and Tamil Nadu Premier League. Mumbai Indians scouted him during trials and signed him for ₹30 lakh during the IPL 2025 auction. Earlier this year, he trained with MI Cape Town as a net bowler alongside Rashid Khan during SA20.
Impact Player Role in IPL
Vignesh was introduced as an Impact Player during MI’s bowling innings, replacing Rohit Sharma. His fearless bowling style drew comparisons to Kuldeep Yadav during his early days. Despite having no senior domestic cricket experience for Kerala, Vignesh proved his mettle on one of cricket’s biggest stages.
While Mumbai Indians lost their opening match for the 13th consecutive year, Vignesh Puthur emerged as a silver lining for the team. His debut performance has not only earned him recognition but also encouragement from one of cricket’s greatest icons MS Dhoni. As the IPL season progresses, all eyes will be on this young spinner from Kerala to see how he continues to shine under pressure.
