The Mumbai Indians will support Kerala wristspinner Vignesh Puthur’s rehabilitation from an injury despite releasing him ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, according to a report in The Times of India.
Puthur is one of the eight players released by the franchise.
Puthur was last seen in action on August 23, when he was playing in the Kerala Cricket League for the Alleppey Ripples. His team finished last on the points table and he played just the first two matches of the tournament.
These two matches were the only action Puthur was involved in since April 23, when he sustained an injury during Mumbai’s match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Puthur made a strong impression in his IPL 2025 debut, grabbing three wickets against the Chennai Super Kings. He finished the season with six wickets in five matches, maintaining an economy rate of nine.
“Vignesh will continue to be with the team to focus on his recovery and rehabilitation with the Mumbai Indians medical and S&C team,” the franchise had said in a statement in April.
During the trials held ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction last November, Vignesh caught the attention of the Mumbai Indians leadership. When the team bagged him uncontested for Rs 30 lakh, it sparked immense joy in the Puthur household.
Left-arm wristspin is a rare craft, still puzzling for many batters and Kuldeep Yadav’s rise with India and in the IPL proves just how match-winning the skill can be. Two years ago, MI invested in another left-arm wristspinner, Haryana’s Raghav Goyal, but he featured in only a single match.
“He had a very good action. He was flighting the ball well and spinning both ways. I always go for a good technique and [see] if a bowler has variations. I observed both of those factors during the two matches I saw Vignesh in before recommending him for trials,” former India pacer TA Sekar had told ESPNCricinfo.
