Mumbai Indians (MI) effected a shock action in their IPL 2025 season opener versus Chennai Super Kings (CSK), bringing out an unsung name Vignesh Puthur who replaced Rohit Sharma as the Impact Player in Chepauk.

The 23-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, unheard of for most of IPL enthusiasts, made an immediate impact. He got rid of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, and Deepak Hooda, tempting them into big hits with his misleading flight, only to have them caught close to the boundary.

An Unexpected Journey

Puthur's ascension to the IPL is nothing less than remarkable. A Malappuram, Kerala native, he never played senior-level domestic cricket. His cricket experience was confined to Kerala's U-14 and U-19 teams, while club cricket provided him with his main platform.

Though given little visibility, MI scouts noticed promise in the young off-spinner during Kerala Cricket League (KCL) when he was playing for Alleppey Ripples. While he picked three wickets from two games, his potential to deliver the seldom-seen 'chinaman' ball with ease and variety delighted talent hunters.

The Moment That Changed Everything

His path to the IPL wasn't smooth. Hailing from a modest background his father an autorickshaw driver and his mother a housewife Puthur never thought he would be selected in the auction. In fact, he had switched off his television prior to the speed bidding round, thinking that he wouldn't be called up.

THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF VIGNESH PUTHUR: 🙇

- Vignesh Puthur didn't play senior level cricket before this IPL match& he didn't represent his state team for Kerala - He's making his debut in IPL today & picked Ruturaj, Dube & Hooda in this Match.

- What a talent, Vignesh Puthur! pic.twitter.com/j2igz34vR7

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 23, 2025

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But Mumbai Indians saw something special. After multiple trials, where he bowled to MI’s top players under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff, they decided to take a chance on him. And when his name finally appeared, MI secured him at his base price of ₹30 lakh.

Making It Count on the Big Stage

On Sunday, that risk paid dividends. Playing in one of the IPL's toughest derbies, Puthur demonstrated why MI signed him up. Replacing a legend like Rohit Sharma was a gigantic decision, but the young man gave no indication of nerves, producing a dream debut performance.

For Vignesh Puthur, it is only the start. But if his first match is anything to go by, he's here to stay.