Urvil Patel announced his arrival in IPL 2025 with a powerful cameo for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during his debut match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 7, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Replacing the injured Vansh Bedi in the squad, the Gujarat-based wicketkeeper-batter was in the spotlight—and he did not disappoint.
Chasing 180 runs, CSK stumbled early, losing two wickets in quick succession—Ayush Mhatre and Devon Conway—leaving the team struggling at 25 for two during the powerplay. With the pressure mounting, Urvil took the aggressive route to counter the opposition while batting at number three. In just 11 balls, he smashed 31 runs, which included four boundaries and one maximum, boasting a jaw-dropping strike rate of 281.81.
His fearless approach was best exemplified in the third over, where he launched Harshit Rana for a massive six over wide long-on and followed it up with another boundary. Despite his explosive intent, Urvil’s innings was cut short when he edged a fuller delivery to short third man, brilliantly caught by Varun Chakravarthy. Nonetheless, his performance sparked discussions about CSK’s potential future plans, showcasing his talent on a significant platform.
Urvil Patel, a 26-year-old dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, has been making waves in the Indian domestic cricket circuit, representing Gujarat. His aggressive playing style has garnered attention and admiration from fans and critics alike, establishing him as a key player in the team. Before his IPL debut, he had already made a name for himself, having played 47 T20 matches and accumulated 1,162 runs.
Last season was particularly noteworthy for Patel, as he etched his name in the record books by becoming the fastest Indian to score a century in a T20 match. On November 27, 2024, he achieved this remarkable milestone by reaching a hundred in just 28 balls while playing for Gujarat against Tripura in the prestigious Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). This extraordinary innings featured 12 sixes and seven fours, as he finished with a total of 113 runs off just 35 balls, leading Gujarat to chase down a target of 156 runs in a mere 10.2 overs.
Just a few days later, on December 5, 2024, he replicated this incredible form by scoring a century off 36 balls against Uttarakhand. Over the course of the SMAT tournament, Patel accumulated 315 runs in six matches, including two centuries, boasting an average exceeding 78 and a staggering strike rate close to 230. His exceptional performances have earned him a place among the top five fastest Indian centurions in T20 history, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in cricket.
Despite going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction at a base price of ₹30 lakh, Patel's talent is undeniable. He was part of the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023, where they narrowly lost to CSK in a thrilling final, with Ravindra Jadeja's heroics securing the title for Chennai. Now, as CSK's 22nd player in IPL 2025, he has the chance to prove himself on a big stage.
In the match against KKR, Kolkata Knight Riders batted first, posting a total of 179 runs, thanks to solid contributions from Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, and Andre Russell. However, the match was a consolation clash for CSK, who became the first team to be eliminated from the competition due to a horrid start to their campaign, currently occupying 10th place in the standings.
On the other hand, KKR is well in the race for the playoffs, sitting in sixth place and hoping to secure a victory against CSK to keep their hopes alive. With Patel's record-setting performance, he became the player with the most runs scored in the first 10 balls on IPL debut, surpassing notable previous records set by other players.
Most runs scored in the first 10 balls on IPL debut:
- 31 - Urvil Patel vs KKR, Kolkata, 2025
- 30 - Abhishek Sharma vs RCB, Delhi, 2018
- 29 - Vipraj Nigam vs LSG, Vizag, 2025
- 28 - Rachin Ravindra vs RCB, Chennai, 2024
- 27 - Shaun Pollock vs RCB, Mumbai, 2008
Urvil Patel’s debut not only showcased his individual talent but also raised questions about CSK’s future strategies and lineup as they look to rebuild after a disappointing season. As the IPL progresses, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how this promising young talent evolves and what role he will play in the remaining matches of the tournament.
