IPL 2025: Tough seas have made Mumbai Indians’ discover Vignesh Puthur a greater sailor

Sunil Kumar and his spouse Bindu didn’t anticipate to see their son, Vignesh Puthur, make his debut for the Mumbai Indians within the aspect’s very first match of the season in Chennai.

With an intimidating Chennai Tremendous Kings batting line-up to take care of, MI introduced within the 24-year-old left-arm spinner, who took to the large stage like a duck takes to water.

Sunil, who drives an auto in Perinthalmanna, has confronted many monetary challenges in serving to his son obtain his goals.

“Once we noticed him step out in Chepauk, we had tears. He acquired right here with out making it to the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare,” the proud dad and mom instructed The Hindu.

A thirst to realize

“Tough seas make a greater sailor. Vignesh was nursing quite a lot of ache as a result of when he had the possibility to make it into the state U19 and U23 sides and bowl properly there, he couldn’t. That feeling, that these round him had what he didn’t, stored him going. He was clear that when he acquired a platform, he wanted to carry out,” Vignesh’s childhood coach, Vijayan, instructed the publication.

Left-arm wrist spin bowlers are a uncommon breed in cricket. Vignesh’s beginnings too have been with tempo bowling earlier than he settled into life as a tweaker.

“It’s one factor to have high quality teaching out there, however a complete different ball sport to truly imbibe what’s being taught. A toddler of 11 is barely at an age to know chinaman bowling. Leg spin is among the hardest expertise in cricket. Your wrists have to be versatile. You possibly can’t have a robotic motion. Your total motion ought to stream like liquid, from loading to bowling,” he stated.

Vijayan’s understanding of spin bowling got here from the ‘Dronacharya of Indian cricket’ – Vasoo Paranjape. Whereas working in Muscat, Vijayan had the possibility to help the legendary Indian coach with the Oman nationwide aspect.

Tough diamond

“Every little thing I taught Vignesh is what Vasoo Paranjape sir taught me about being a high-quality leg spinner. The legendary coach is Vignesh’s guru’s guru,” he quipped.

“Kerala has 14 districts. On the age-group degree, solely Vignesh was there to fly the flag of left-arm spin. He realized issues consistently. He perfected his googly in six months. I’m not speaking about match accuracy, however about getting the strategy of the motion proper,” Vijayan defined.

Very similar to Vignesh’s dad and mom, Vijayan too had a nervy time watching MI’s opening sport on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

“Watching MI bat, I realised this was not a straightforward monitor and Vignesh getting an opportunity on it will be a blessing. We noticed his title within the influence participant listing. He confirmed the maturity equal of enjoying 10 IPL video games. He dismisses their foremost batters. That first impression counts. He had the boldness of captain Suryakumar Yadav, sufficient to provide him a go even within the tight overs. He had a beneficial pitch. Issues fell in line,” Vijayan stated.

Vignesh had stints within the Kerala Premier League and Tamil Nadu Premier League. These weren’t flashy performances when it comes to wickets, however they gave Vijayan confidence to see the smoothness in his motion. He was scouted quickly after by Mumbai Indians of their trials in Thiruvananthapuram after which picked for INR 30 Lakh within the public sale.

The group then flew him to South Africa – his maiden journey exterior India – to work with Rashid Khan and Lasith Malinga, below the watchful eyes of head coach Mahela Jayawardene.

Vijayan was fearful about how Vignesh, an introvert, would fare in his first tryst with the cut-throat world of franchise cricket.

“In Mumbai, he’s rubbing shoulders with giants. If you stand in a bunch that has names like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav, you’ll suppose you belong there and develop,” the coach famous.

“(Mahela) Jayawardene instructed Vignesh, ‘You’re as necessary as Bumrah to me.’ Think about a younger, unheralded bowler listening to this. We’ve found the tough diamond, undoubtedly, however he’s being polished by the Mumbai Indians,” he added.

Validation

An in any other case quiet life for Vignesh’s dad and mom and coach turned on its head on Sunday night time. With three massive wickets within the sport and a pat on the shoulder from the legendary M.S. Dhoni himself, kinfolk, buddies, and media hounded their telephones.

“Membership cricket is what most children have carried out on this neighbourhood. Vignesh has gone past all of it. He was very excited when he known as us after the sport. We solely hope he retains getting probabilities,” Sunil stated.

Malappuram district is understood for its soccer tradition and passionate fandom, which Sunil’s father attributes to infrastructure.

“I performed soccer once I was youthful. There have been barely any takers for cricket. It additionally comes all the way down to the infrastructure out there for each sports activities. You simply want open house for soccer, however cricket wants extra devoted amenities. It’s largely the case even immediately,” he famous.

This very issue is what Vijayan contributed to Kerala’s boring displaying within the home scene over the previous few a long time.

“After spending months coaching and enjoying, Might to September will get utterly ruined for cricketers as a result of monsoon. It’s why we generally come off as rusty when going through high quality opposition like within the Ranji Trophy.

“The opening of an indoor cricket stadium between Manjeri and Perinthalmanna was a game-changer. It meant groups may practice and play, and batters weren’t off their routines as a result of circumstances.”

With cricket’s rising reputation within the area and the likes of homegrown expertise like Sanju Samson making waves within the franchise and worldwide scenes, Vijayan discovered himself going through a singular proposition.

“Some folks overenthusiastically ask if they need to pull their child from research solely. I at all times discourage that notion. Any given 12 months, the tough actuality is that the Kerala cricket group could have a most of two to 3 vacancies. The complete 15 won’t ever get replaced solely. These three slots are what we’re working in the direction of. If that doesn’t work, then there must be a backup.

“Vignesh pursued his commencement in any other case, at 19 or 23 years outdated, you might need to return to class 9 and 10 after which begin once more. I at all times inform dad and mom to pursue cricket and research aspect by aspect,” he added, taking Vignesh – who has a bachelor’s diploma in English Literature – for instance.

That stated, the curiosity is a large departure from the naysayers Vijayan normally encountered, asking him why their youngsters ought to spend their time enjoying a sport they received’t, in all probability, develop in.

“There’s a boy from Malappuram district who has been scouted by the Mumbai Indians and is enjoying on the most important stage. A number of folks have requested me what’s the purpose of those boys selecting up a bat and ball in Perinthalmanna. THIS is the reply,” Vijayan concluded.