IPL 2026: Kerala player returns to IPL for Punjab Kings after 1084 Days, Makes Debut as Impact Player

In the high-stakes IPL 2026 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium on April 16, Vishnu Vinod was named among PBKS's impact player substitutes.

The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter, known for his explosive middle-order prowess, brought depth and versatility to Shreyas Iyer's squad in a match that PBKS dominated, securing a commanding 7-wicket victory.

Vinod, acquired by PBKS for Rs 95 lakh ahead of the season, entered the squad as a strategic backup to Prabhsimran Singh. His domestic form, marked by a blistering 301 runs at a strike rate of over 200 in the KCL and a sensational 162 off 84 in Vijay Hazare Trophy, made him a potent finisher capable of turning games with raw power and quick keeping skills.

Vishnu Vinod plays a Cameo

Vishnu Vinod was used as Impact Player by PBKS and the right-hand batter made a good outing. He smashed an unbeaten 15 off just 8 balls, hitting 1 four and 1 six in the knock. The Kerala-born player is known for his hard-hitting and made good use of his opportunity.

At 32, the seasoned campaigner, who has donned jerseys for RCB, DC, SRH, and MI earlier, is in his prime, will be hoping for more opportunities. This was Vinod's debut for Punjab Kings, as he played his first match in the IPL after 1084 days, after almost three years of absence. Vinod's last IPL outing was for Mumbai Indians, when he played against Gujarat Titans in 2023.