For Mumbai Indians, the Chinese bowler player Vignesh Puthur was a breath of fresh air. The 23 -year -old took a transport of three counters against Chennai Super Kings. He sculpted Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda to attract the attention of each fan of IPL. However, against the Titans of Gujarat, he was not even chosen as a substitute. The Mumbai Indians have chosen to play the bowl and did not use Puthur. Internet was intrigued by the choice.
Vignesh Puthur who chose 3 gohets in the last game, not playing the match of today V GT #Gtvmi pic.twitter.com/9xarj27tor
– (@ shebas_10dulkar) March 29, 2025
I do not pretend that Vignesh Puthur is a great bowling player but he played well in his first game, so he should have played today. https://t.co/cse7bnr0zh
– Vipul (@vipul_espeaks) March 29, 2025
After taking 3 VS CSK counters, Vignesh, Puthur took a fully shiny spotlight, was even complimentary of the owner and today the Captain Hardik back next and Vignesh Puthur was abandoned.
It is nothing less than a confusing decision of the management of the IM. Missing Rohit’s Mi
– Santosh said (@Smpphukan) March 29, 2025
Mi makes breakthrough errors by dropping Vignesh Puthur vs GT making them difficult to take on the counters here this evening.# IPL2025 #Gtvmi
– @nostradamusofcket (@legacymauryan) March 29, 2025
Vignesh Puthur, twenty-three, who made his IPL debut by collecting three counters for the Mumbai Indians during their recent match with Chennai Super Kings, made the average pace as a kid, but was guided to become a Chinese bowling player by his friend Mohammed Shareef. Shareef, who attended the cricket training, recognized the talent at Puthur when he saw the young child play at the age of 11 near their home in the Malappuram district in Kerala.
“He used to make an average pace at the start. I told him to try his legs instead because it could be beneficial if he was good in this area. I was myself a spinner, so I told him some of the technical aspects of the spin bowling.
“But he became good in this area very quickly because of his diligence and I therefore suggested that he goes to a cricket camp. I spoke to his parents and for the next 2-3 years, we used to go to the camps together,” Shareef told a television channel.
Shareef, who is a “ Ustad ” (professor of religion), only spoke to the media after Puthur revealed the role of his friend to guide him in the sense of becoming a “Chinese” player.
However, when Shareef guided Puthur in the direction of the rotation of the legs of the left arm, he did not know at that time that he was actually called “Chinese” bowling, a rarity in the cricket.
“I did not know at the time that it was called Chinese. When he started playing, he was probably the only Chinese bowler in India. The only other player I knew who played like that was the Australian spinner Brad Hogg,” he said.
After 2-3 years of coaching, Puthur was selected for the U-14 team from Kerala and Shareef for the U-19 team.
“He worked with diligence in the camps. After being selected in the U-14 team, he quickly got up because of his performance, became vice-captain, reached the level of the state, but was not considered for the senior team. Now, he plays for the Indians of Mumbai,” he said, happy and proud of his friend’s achievements.
Shareef has not succeeded in his cricket career and is now a “Ustad” in a mosque here.
When he was told that he was now recognized as the person who first guided Puthur on his way of success, Shareef said that he did not deserve such recognition.
“I did what anyone who saw a talented player as he would have done – give him advice. That’s all I did. I only shared information with him.
Shareef said that now Puthur had started with his debut for Mumbai Indians, he should take advantage of it and work harder to reach new heights.
With PTI entries
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