The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been known as cricket’s glitziest spectacle—the perfect blend of cinema and cricket, packed crowds, larger-than-life stars, star-studded opening ceremonies and corporate-box balconies. But when you peel away the glitter, you realise what the IPL is really about—diamonds being unearthed from the rough, comeback tales and a haven for stars who have stepped away from the international stage. You can’t help but romanticise stories like these.
Less than a day ago, the name Vignesh Puthur meant nothing to India—the 24-year-old was still unknown, probably battling nerves and adrenaline in the Mumbai Indians (MI) dressing room ahead of his IPL debut. The IPL has always been a bridge between domestic and international cricket, about youngsters having a stage to put on a show. It doubles up as a talent hunt of sorts – it might take just one game to change a player’s life, for better or worse.
On the other hand, on the same day, before Vignesh stole the spotlight, it was Ishan Kishan who scripted a roaring comeback following two years of tumult. While Puthur’s was a story of discovery, Ishan Kishan’s is one of redemption. Three games into the season, and the IPL has already come alive.
The Discovery
At exactly 9:06 pm yesterday, before the 24 year-old had bowled a single delivery, Vignesh Puthur was just another name on the team sheet. In a matter of two hours, he went from from obscurity to trending on google. In the span of the next 12 hours, 25k tweets were rolled out on X, the social media platform. Fans gushed over the new star. Many may have called him an ‘overnight success’ but only Vignesh – who had no Ranji cap, no domestic experience, and was hustling in the local leagues –knew just how many nights it took to become that ‘overnight success’.
Vignesh, spotted by Mumbai Indians scouts before the November 2024 auction, hasn’t even played for Kerala’s senior team, although the selectors may be revisiting that decision now. He caught the eye of an MI scout while playing for Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL). He made his way to the MI selection trials where he impressed Mahela Jayawardene and other coaches. The rest is history.
The Redemption arc
While we saw a Vignesh being discovered, on the same day, we also saw Kishan remind everyone why he had once been the new kind on the block. The young wicketkeeper-batter, the most expensive player at the auction back in 2022, had found his career trajectory turning into a cautionary tale. After some blazing performances, records and riches came a stunning fall.
He went through a tumultuous period where he faced brutal criticism, was released by his franchise, dropped from the India squad after a double-century — yes, a double-century — and was publicly slated for skipping domestic cricket. Over the last 36 months or so, Kishan had seen it all.
It all changed on Sunday afternoon with 106* off 47 balls, an innings that looked like a perfectly orchestrated and choreographed Super Bowl performance. And from Kishan’s celebration, it was evident that it was not just a knock for the scoreboard but for the soul. It was a statement, a reminder that he still had whatever made him one of the most sought-after names in Indian cricket.
As he tore across the pitch, peeled off his helmet and broke into a roar—it felt less like a celebration and more like release. A roar of relief. After having to justify a 15.25 crores price tag, sitting on the sidelines despite performing, being on the receiving end of ruthless social media criticism, and stripped of the central BCCI contract, this was the moment his sky turned blue again.
This is what the IPL is all about – days like Sunday, where a rookie walked on to the field unknown and walked off a sensation, and a fallen star showed that he could still shine bright. While the IPL is about the megastars like MS Dhoni, drama, and money that would send a middle-class person into the ER if it landed in their bank account, it is also about the human side of sport.
While much of its charm lies in unearthing a Vignesh and many others from local obscurity and giving them the world, it is also about reminding a Kishan that no fall is final.