Chennai Super Kings handed a debut to Gujarat wicketkeeper-batter Urvil Patel in Match 57 of IPL 2025 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. The 26-year-old replaces Vansh Bedi, who was ruled out of the season due to a ligament tear. Urvil was picked at his base price of ₹30 lakh and had earlier impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

He smashed a record-equalling 28-ball century against Tripura and finished the tournament with 315 runs at an average of 78.75 and a staggering strike rate of 230, emerging as the top six-hitter. Although Gujarat didn’t qualify for knockouts, Urvil’s 29 sixes in six innings caught the IPL scouts’ attention.

This is Urvil’s second IPL stint, having been with Gujarat Titans in 2023. His T20 numbers are equally explosive, with 1162 runs in 47 innings at a strike rate of 170.38.

CSK, already out of playoff contention, are likely to test young players like Urvil in their final games. He joins a young XI also featuring 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre. MS Dhoni continues to lead the squad in Ruturaj Gaikwad’s absence.