CHENNAI — Urvil Patel, drafted into the playing XI as a replacement for the injured Ayush Mhatre, made a stunning impact on Sunday with a blistering 65 off 23 balls. His innings included 2 fours and 8 sixes, boasting a strike rate of 282.6. The 13-ball half-century left the Chepauk crowd in awe.
Teammate Jamie Overton, who took three key wickets and earned Player of the Match honors, was unfazed by the display. “That’s just how Urvil plays. He does the same in training — it was only a matter of time. What stood out was him being disappointed after hitting a four following six sixes in a row. That sums up how these youngsters think — they take it on from ball one and aren’t afraid,” Overton said.
Urvil credited skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for allowing him to express himself during their 81-run partnership. “There wasn’t much going through my mind. I just wanted to bat according to the situation. Rutu only said the wicket was a bit low and to be ready for it. Otherwise, he let me play my natural game,” Urvil explained.
His knock overshadowed a dazzling 85 off 33 balls by Lucknow Super Giants’ Josh Inglis. Opposition captain Rishabh Pant praised the effort. “Urvil played an unbelievable knock, much like Inglis did for us. We knew someone had to take charge in the powerplay. In the end, CSK held their nerves better,” Pant added.