Kamal Ghorui
CHENNAI: Urvil Patel, drafted into the XI as a replacement for the injured Ayush Mhatre, announced himself in style with a blistering 65 off 23 balls (2×4, 8×6) at a strike rate of 282.6 on Sunday.His record 13-ball half century stunned Chepauk, though teammate Jamie Overton insisted it was nothing unusual. “That’s just how Urvil plays,” said the Player of the Match, who also took three key wickets. “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.”
Urvil, however, credited skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for the freedom to express himself during their 81-run stand. “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 said.The knock overshadowed Josh Inglis’ dazzling 85 off 33 balls for Lucknow Super Giants. Opposition captain Rishabh Pant was full of praise. “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 said.
