Who is Vignesh Puthur? Son of An Auto Driver, Mumbai Indians' Kerala-born player who is Pursuing MA in Literature

In the bustling streets of Perinthalmanna, a town nestled in the Malappuram district of Kerala, dreams are often tied to perseverance and grit - and Vignesh Puthur is the latest to turn it into reality.

For 23-year-old Vignesh Puthur, life has been a testament to this ethos. The right-handed batter and left-arm spinner, hailing from a modest background, turned his lifelong dream of playing in the IPL into a reality when he was picked up by the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.

Who is Vignesh Puthur?

Vignesh Puthur is a 23-year-old cricketer from Kerala, who was born on 2nd March, 2001 in Perinthalmanna, a place in the Malappuram district of Kerala. He is a spin bowling all-rounder and bowls left-arm spin.

Vignesh Puthur's Humble Journey

Vignesh's rise to the IPL is a story of perseverance rooted in humble beginnings. His father, Sunil Kumar, is an auto driver, and his mother, KP Bindu, is a homemaker. Despite financial challenges, his parents have been unwavering in their support for his cricketing aspirations.

Currently pursuing an MA in Literature from PTM Government College in Perinthalmanna, Vignesh has managed to balance academics with his cricketing commitments.

And the player is astonished that he got a deal in the IPL 2025 with the Indians.

"I was watching the auction from home. I didn't expect a chance in the IPL Mega Auction. My only dream was to play in the IPL," Vignesh said in an exclusive interview with MyKhel Malayalam.

Vignesh doesn't have a specific favourite franchise, but when it came to Mumbai Indians, two players stood out in his admiration - Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya.

"Rohit and Hardik have always been my favorites in the MI team. I am so happy to work with these superstars," he added to MyKhel Malayalam.

For someone whose cricketing journey has been fueled by limited resources and immense self-belief, getting the opportunity to share the dressing room with icons like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav is nothing short of a dream come true.

Vignesh credits the inaugural Kerala Cricket League (KCL) for his IPL breakthrough. Playing for the Alleppey Ripples under the leadership of former RCB player Mohammed Azharuddeen, Vignesh made an impression in the limited opportunities he received.

In the three matches he played for the Alleppey Ripples, Vignesh picked up two wickets, though he didn't get a chance to showcase his batting. However, it was enough to grab the attention of the Mumbai Indians' scouting team, who were closely monitoring the tournament. Following his performances in KCL, Vignesh was invited for trials by MI.

Vignesh got important advice from Sanju Samson

While he is still waiting for his senior team debut for Kerala, the experience of playing in the IPL under the watchful eyes of world-class coaches and players is set to accelerate his growth. The youngster has already bowled against Sanju Samson in the nets and the India star gave him some important advice on his bowling.