Born on October 17, 1998, Urvil Patel has steadily carved a name for himself in Indian cricket. Making his Twenty20 debut for Baroda in the 2017–18 Zonal T20 League on January 7, 2018, Patel stepped into professional cricket with promise. A month later, on February 7, 2018, he showcased his potential in List A cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, his cricketing journey soon took a turn as he transferred to Gujarat ahead of the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy season, seeking new opportunities.
A right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, Urvil hails from Kahipur, a small village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district. In 2023, he was picked by Gujarat Titans for ₹20 lakhs (23,600 $) in the IPL, but despite the excitement, he didn’t get a chance to showcase his talent and was released after the season. Yet, the setback didn’t deter him. Patel has since earned the Indian record for the second-fastest List A century and is tied for the second-fastest T20 century globally.
A Legacy of Sacrifice and Ambition
Patel's cricketing aspirations have deep roots in his father's unfulfilled dreams. Mukesh Patel, a university-level sprinter in his youth, had to abandon his athletic pursuits due to limited resources. As a physical education teacher, Mukesh redirected his ambitions towards his son’s success in sports, waking at dawn to take Urvil for practice sessions and even sacrificing his tutoring job to dedicate more time to his son's career.
After being unsold at the 2025 IPL mega auction, Mukesh was visibly more upset than Urvil. However, the young cricketer turned his disappointment into fuel for a stellar performance. In Gujarat’s opening match after the auction, Patel delivered a stunning 28-ball century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, setting the record for the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian. Reflecting on his innings, Urvil revealed that he dedicated the century to his father, acknowledging the sacrifices made for his cricketing journey.
A Pattern of Resilience
This wasn’t the first time Patel delivered under pressure. A year earlier, after being released by Gujarat Titans, he smashed a 41-ball hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Arunachal Pradesh, earning the title of the second-fastest List A hundred by an Indian. Although some might argue that these performances came against less formidable opponents, Patel’s subsequent games showcased his consistency, with notable innings against teams like Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
Polishing Talent: From Baroda to Gujarat
Urvil's cricketing roots trace back to Vadnagar, but his early training unfolded in Palanpur under coach Prakash Patani. Beginning his professional journey with Baroda, he quickly transitioned to Gujarat, believing it would offer more opportunities.
Reflecting on the move, "There was nothing wrong at Baroda," Urvil says. "I just felt I would get more opportunities with Gujarat. At the same time, I was aware I needed to perform."
Over the years, Patel has built an impressive T20 career, amassing over 1,000 runs in 45 matches with a striking rate of 161.72. In List A cricket, his tally stands at 415 runs in 14 matches, with a strike rate exceeding 111. Though he has dabbled in first-class cricket, his focus remains on white-ball formats, where power-hitting comes naturally to him.
Lessons Beyond the Game
Despite limited opportunities in the IPL, Patel views his time with Gujarat Titans as invaluable. Observing the professionalism of seasoned players like Hardik Pandya and Rashid Khan, he gained insights into the game’s mental and physical demands.
Wicketkeeping tips from Wriddhiman Saha further refined his technique, "I got to spend a lot of time with Wriddhi bhai. He made me aware of the areas I could improve in. We discussed the movement behind the stumps, which really helped me."
Driven by Dreams and Purpose
Patel’s unwavering self-belief fuels his success. Acknowledging the risk-heavy nature of T20 cricket, he accentuates the importance of staying calm and trusting one’s abilities. When in need of inspiration, he revisits the reasons he started playing cricket—his father’s dreams and sacrifices.
For Patel, every match is a stepping stone. He maintains a clear focus on improving his skills and achieving incremental progress.
While his ultimate goal is to represent India, Patel remains grounded, stating, "My goal is always to take one step forward from where I am today. For that, whatever runs I need to score, I need to score. Whatever skills I need to upgrade, I need to upgrade."
With a journey marked by resilience, dedication, and the drive to succeed, Urvil Patel’s story resonates as an inspiring tale of turning setbacks into opportunities and chasing dreams relentlessly.