Gujarat’s wicketkeeper-batter Urvil Patel has credited his stint with Chennai Super Kings for helping him play with far greater belief in his own game. Known for his power-hitting, the 27-year-old began the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign with a blistering 37-ball 119 while captaining Gujarat against Services in Hyderabad on 26 November.
His hundred came in just 31 balls as Urvil smashed 12 boundaries and 10 sixes, guiding Gujarat to chase down 183 against Services in only 12.3 overs. It was his third hundred in T20 cricket and arrived a year after he struck a 28-ball century — the joint-fastest by an Indian in T20 cricket — for Gujarat against Tripura.
Urvil shed light on how he came to understand the deeper meaning of success, saying his effort and discipline were recognised during his time with Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 IPL.
“When you’re in CSK or in Dhoni sir’s team, the definition of success and failure changes for you,” said Urvil, who idolises MS Dhoni, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
“Just going out there and scoring runs isn’t success. If I’m putting in my best efforts honestly, that is also success. I learned to believe in myself while at CSK. It sounds simple, but now I truly trust every shot I play more than ever before.”
In the 2023 IPL auction, Patel was picked up by Gujarat Titans for 20 lakh. Although he did not get a game that season, the selection demonstrated the growing interest in his potential.
However, the breakthrough in his franchise career came in 2025. Midway through the season, CSK signed him as a replacement for the injured Vansh Bedi for 30 lakh.
He made a memorable IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders, smashing 31 runs off just 11 balls — a blistering cameo that immediately drew attention.
In the 2025 season, he played three matches, scoring a total of 68 runs with a highest score of 37. His strike rate of over 212 underscored the sheer power and intent he brings to the crease.
Urvil said his big-hitting ability has been carefully crafted, and the hard work he has been putting in is giving him increased confidence to be more consistent with his risk-laden approach.
“Playing aggressive cricket may not be that difficult, but finding consistency in aggression is a little tricky. I know that if I keep working hard like this, I’ll be able to play even better cricket in the future,” he said.
CSK showed faith in Urvil by retaining the wicketkeeper-batter despite having traded in Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals.
Urvil has been in fine form in the domestic season. Before his blazing hundred in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the big-hitter amassed 346 runs in five matches, including a century, for Gujarat during the first phase of the Ranji Trophy season.
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