SMAT 2024: Gujarat's Urvil Patel continues purple patch with 36-ball hundred against Uttarakhand

Gujarat's wicketkeeper-batter Urvil Patel after being unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction made a strong point for himself by smashing an unbeaten century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) match against Uttarakhand.

After being part of the Gujarat Titans squad in the previous IPL seasons and experiencing the dressing room alongside Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill, the 26-year-old found himself without an IPL contract for the upcoming season.

But instead of letting this setback affect him, Patel has chosen to let his bat do the talking with two centuries across the last three games. His innings against Uttarakhand saw him score a match-winning 115 off just 41 balls, featuring eight boundaries and 11 sixes. In the match, Gujarat chased down 183 in just 13.1 overs, with Patel winning the Player of the Match award.

Fastest century by Indian (by balls taken):

Expected an IPL deal: Urvil

Earlier in the tournament, Patel had already hammered a century off just 28 balls against Tripura, earning the Player of the Match award making him the fastest Indian batter to do so. He also becomes only the 11th batter to score two or more centuries in the tournament's history. With five wins from six matches, Gujarat tops the Group B table.

“I did expect an IPL deal, to be very honest. But I am happy that I am playing, performing, and taking my game forward. I was watching the auction but immediately shifted my focus to my game after not being picked. I am not disappointed. This is something not in my hands," Urvil told as per TOI.

Patel's 36-ball century against Uttarakhand is the fourth-fastest by an Indian batter, placing him in the company of cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma. The Mehsana-born spoke about his admiration and inspiration for India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav.

“I met Surya bhai during the IPL. I went up to him and told him that I admire him. He was very happy. He put his hand around my shoulder and said, ‘Chal, baat karte hain (Come, let's have a chat).’ He gave me a lot of batting tips. He said, ‘Bindaas khelne ka (Play with freedom). Ball ko dekhna, but pehle bowler ko, uske action ko, uske hand aur finger movement ko (Always watch the ball, but watch the bowler first, his action, his hand and fingers, and his movements). And be confident. Apne aap ko hamesha back karna (Always back yourself),” Patel recalled.