In a heartwarming display of traditional values rarely seen in modern cricket, Mumbai Indians’ debutant spinner Vignesh Puthur touched owner Nita Ambani’s feet in a gesture of respect after receiving the team’s ‘Best Bowler’ award following their IPL 2025 season opener against Chennai Super Kings.
The 24-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, who remarkably had never played state-level cricket before his IPL call-up, made an immediate impact by dismantling CSK’s middle order with a stunning spell that yielded 3 wickets for 32 runs in his four overs.
“I never thought in my life I would play with these players,” said an emotional Puthur during the post-match dressing room ceremony. “I want to thank the MI franchise for giving me this opportunity. I am very happy. We could’ve won, but thank you so much, especially to our captain Surya bhai who was very supportive. That’s why I never felt that much pressure.”
Puthur’s dream debut saw him claim the prized scalps of three established Indian internationals – CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, dangerous middle-order hitter Shivam Dube, and experienced campaigner Deepak Hooda. His spell transformed the match dynamics, reducing CSK from a comfortable 78/1 to a precarious 107/4 in the 12th over.
The game context makes Puthur’s performance even more impressive. CSK, chasing a modest target of 156, had started explosively with Gaikwad racing to his fastest IPL fifty in just 22 balls. The CSK skipper’s quickfire partnership of 67 runs with Rachin Ravindra in just 6.1 overs had put the defending champions firmly in control before Puthur’s intervention.
Despite the spinner’s heroics, New Zealand international Rachin Ravindra’s unbeaten 65 off 45 deliveries guided CSK to victory with five balls to spare and four wickets in hand. However, it was the young MI debutant who became the talking point of the match.
Mumbai Indians’ talent scouts deserve credit for unearthing Puthur, continuing their tradition of identifying and nurturing uncapped players with potential. The franchise has previously helped launch the careers of several Indian stars including Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
The image of Puthur touching Nita Ambani’s feet – a traditional Indian gesture signifying respect for elders – has resonated strongly with fans on social media, showcasing not just his cricketing talent but also his grounded personality and cultural values.
With this performance, Puthur has announced himself as a spinner to watch in this IPL season. Mumbai Indians will be hoping their latest discovery continues to deliver match-turning performances as they aim to bounce back from their opening defeat and pursue a record-extending sixth IPL title.