Ignored at IPL 2025 auction, Gujarat batter continues to turn heads, hits 36-ball hundred after 28-ball ton in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
After going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, Gujarat batter Urvil Patel has continued to impress with his batting exploits in the ongoing 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The wicketkeeper-batter slammed a 36-ball century against Uttarakhand at Emerald Heights International School Ground in Indore on Tuesday, December 3. This is the fourth fastest ton by an Indian in the T20 format.
The right-hander stayed unbeaten on 115 off 41 deliveries, a knock laced with 11 sixes and eight boundaries. His knock helped Gujarat win the game by eight wickets with 6.5 overs to spare.
Urvil’s ton comes days after he smashed the fastest T20 ton by an Indian. He had slammed a 28-ball century against Tripura on November 27. During his knock, he broke the previous record held by star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who had hit a 32-ball century for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh in the 2018 edition of the tournament.
With 283, the 26-year-old has now become the highest run-getter in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Urvil had registered himself for a base price of INR 30 lakh but went unsold at the IPL 2025 auction in Riyadh last month. The Mehsana-born player was picked by the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2023 season for his base price of INR 20 lakh but didn’t get a game. He might get picked by one of the 10 franchises ahead of the IPL 2025 season.
Overall, Urvil has 1014 runs in 45 T20s at a promising strike rate of 161.72, including one ton and four half-centuries, barring today’s game. He has also smashed two centuries in just 13 List-A innings.
"He made me aware of the areas I could improve in" - Urvil Patel on Wriddhiman Saha's impact on his career during IPL 2023
Urvil has credited erstwhile GT wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha for his rise in the game. He said (via ESPNcricinfo):
"I got to spend a lot of time with Wriddhi bhai. He made me aware of the areas I could improve in. We discussed about the movement behind the stumps, which really helped me."
Urvil added that he backs his power game to succeed in the shortest format. He said:
“T20 is such a format that you have to take risks. The most important thing then is to stay calm and back yourself."
Urvil Patel will next be seen in action against Karnataka on Thursday, December 5.