Lessons learnt during CSK stint helping me perform well: Urvil Patel

The T20 format always brings the best out of Urvil Patel, and Services was the latest team at the receiving end of his wrath. His 31-ball century, the second fastest by an Indian in T20s, helped Gujarat wrap up a 183-run chase with eight wickets in hand and 81 balls to spare.

Urvil also holds the record for the joint-fastest T20 hundred by an Indian with Abhishek Sharma. Both hit 28-ball hundreds, against Tripura and Meghalaya, respectively, in the 2024-25 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

In a chat with The Hindu, Urvil credited his short but impactful stint with Chennai Super Kings last season, where he got the opportunity to pick M.S. Dhoni’s brains, for his current returns with the willow.

“Playing with Mahi bhai was like a dream for me. While I was not with them for a long time, I got some good lessons there, which are helping me perform well here,” he revealed.

“He spoke about the importance of self-belief and self-confidence in cricket. Another thing I learned from him was game awareness, what to do according to the situation and how to think.”

The 27-year-old smashed 12 fours and 10 sixes against Services, and finished with a strike rate of 321.62. In the end, however, his favourite moment of the innings was the most obvious choice.

“Scoring a 100 in T20s is always very special, so I will say that is my favourite moment. Very simple to pick.”

Urvil, who has been retained by CSK ahead of IPL 2026, has entered this Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season in a better place than last time around, where he went unsold in the IPL auctions. That said, he is not letting his fortunes in the Indian franchise circuit affect how he leads Gujarat in SMAT.

“I won’t say that I can play more freely since I have been retained. I have a responsibility as a captain. I will treat every match and every innings the same.”