The IPL is known for its surprises, and last night, Chennai Super Kings delivered a big one by unveiling Urvil Patel—a name many didn’t expect, but one that’s now impossible to ignore. Making his debut for CSK, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Gujarat made an immediate impact in spectacular fashion.
Urvil wasn’t even part of the 2025 IPL auction, but CSK brought him in as a replacement signing. After years of hard work in the domestic circuit, he finally got his moment under the lights—and didn’t waste a second. On just his second ball in the IPL, he launched a six, setting the tone for what would be an explosive innings.
Facing Moeen Ali, Urvil went on a tear, smashing 6, 4, and 6 in a ruthless burst of power-hitting. His short but thrilling knock ended with 31 runs off only 11 balls, including four sixes. He finished with a strike rate of 282—the second-highest for any player on IPL debut with at least 10 balls faced.
But this wasn’t a lucky night or a flash in the pan. Urvil has been making waves in India’s domestic scene. In the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he set the record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian—reaching 100 in just 28 balls against Tripura. He stayed unbeaten on 113, with 12 sixes, and ended the tournament with a strike rate of 230, the highest among the top 100 scorers. He also led the six-hitting charts with 29 maximums, outshining even established IPL players.
Earlier, he had also recorded the second-fastest List A century by an Indian—reaching the mark in just 41 balls. These feats show that Urvil’s power is no accident—he’s built for big moments.
While Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube were key to CSK’s run chase, it was Urvil who lit the spark. For CSK fans, a new cult hero may have just arrived. And for IPL bowlers across the league—consider this your official warning: Urvil Patel doesn’t play it safe.
