Rising Stars of IPL 2025: Debutants Making an Impact

The Indian Premier League's 18th season has seen the emergence of several promising cricketers, making significant impacts for their teams. Among them, Vighnesh Puttur has stood out with his remarkable debut for Mumbai Indians, where his spin bowling caught the eye. Similarly, Vipraj Nigam's powerful performances for Delhi Capitals have showcased his potential as an all-rounder. Priyansh Arya has made waves with his aggressive batting at the top of the order for Punjab Kings. These players, along with others like Aniket Varma, Zeeshan Ansari, and Ashwani Kumar, have brought fresh energy and talent to the IPL, hinting at bright futures ahead.

Vighnesh Puttur, a 24-year-old spinner from Kerala, made a memorable start in the IPL on March 23, 2025, playing for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings. He took 3 wickets for 32 runs, showing his ability to handle pressure and impressing MS Dhoni with his performance. Puttur's skill in spinning the ball both ways has made him a valuable player for Mumbai Indians, filling the void left by renowned bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. His debut performance was crucial in limiting Chennai Super Kings, marking him as a potential standout player in the season.

Vipraj Nigam, at just 20 years old, has already made a name for himself as a key all-rounder for Delhi Capitals. His explosive batting, demonstrated by scoring 39 runs off 15 balls in a match against Lucknow Super Giants, has been critical in turning games around for his team. Nigam's ability to perform under pressure was further highlighted in another game where he scored 39 runs off 12 balls, proving his worth as a dangerous lower-order hitter and a valuable bowler for Delhi.

Priyansh Arya, a left-handed opener for Punjab Kings, entered the IPL with high expectations and has lived up to them by scoring 47 runs off 23 balls in his debut match against Gujarat Titans. His dynamic batting, including a range of shots from the get-go, has provided Punjab Kings with strong starts, allowing the middle order to capitalize. Arya's debut has validated his INR 3.80 crore auction price and his reputation for hitting six sixes in an over during a domestic league match.

Aniket Varma's powerful batting for Sunrisers Hyderabad has made him another notable debutant in IPL 2025. His performances, including a stunning 36 runs off just 13 balls against Lucknow Super Giants and a game-defining 74 runs off 41 balls against Delhi Capitals, have showcased his versatility. Varma's ability to hit big and build innings has added depth to Sunrisers Hyderabad's batting lineup, making him more than just a cameo player.

Zeeshan Ansari and Ashwani Kumar have also made significant contributions with the ball for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, respectively. Ansari's debut featured a 3-wicket haul for 42 runs against Delhi Capitals, demonstrating his potential in high-scoring conditions. Kumar's 4 wickets for 24 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders highlighted his precision and impact, earning him praise from cricketing circles.

These debutants, including Vighnesh Puttur, Vipraj Nigam, Priyansh Arya, Aniket Varma, Zeeshan Ansari, and Ashwani Kumar, have introduced exciting narratives to IPL 2025. Their performances have varied from Puttur's spin magic to Varma's explosive batting, making them crucial figures in their teams. As the tournament progresses, their consistent performances and ability to adapt will be key to their long-term success in cricket, marking them as part of India's next cricketing generation.