The world of cricket was recently stunned by a display of unparalleled power-hitting. The focus of this incredible performance is a rising Indian star, Urvil Patel. He achieved a phenomenal feat that has cemented his name in the record books for one of the fastest centuries ever scored in the history of the sport. His sensational knock of a hundred runs in just 28 balls left opposition bowlers completely helpless and cricket fans utterly mesmerized.
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The Lightning Strike: 28 Balls of Pure Mayhem
The historic moment unfolded during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024, India’s premier domestic T20 tournament. Representing Gujarat, Urvil Patel was in a class of his own in the match against Tripura. He walked out to open the innings, and what followed was a batting onslaught that will be talked about for years to come. The goal was to chase down a respectable total, but Patel turned it into a sprint.
His batting was characterized by sheer aggression and impeccable timing. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter showed no respect for the bowling attack, launching the ball repeatedly over the boundary ropes. He reached his fifty in a flash, but then accelerated even further. Every shot was struck with immense power, demonstrating why Urvil Patel is considered one of the most exciting young talents in Indian domestic cricket.
The speed at which he reached the three-figure mark was truly unbelievable. The 28-ball hundred is a testament to his hand-eye coordination and aggressive mindset. His final, incredible score was an unbeaten 113 runs off just 35 balls. The innings included 12 colossal sixes and seven fours, resulting in a phenomenal strike rate exceeding 322. Gujarat chased down the 156-run target in a mere 10.2 overs, showcasing the utter dominance of Urvil Patel at the crease.
Rewriting Indian Cricket History Books
With this spectacular century, Urvil Patel officially broke the long-standing Indian record for the fastest T20 century. This record was previously held by star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who had scored a 100 in 32 balls back in the 2018 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Patel’s achievement is significant because it represents a new benchmark for power-hitting in Indian domestic cricket.
This accomplishment places Urvil Patel among the most explosive batters globally. Breaking a record held by a celebrated international player like Pant signals Patel’s ability to perform under pressure and accelerate at an unprecedented rate. The feat underscores the depth of talent in India’s T20 circuit, proving that the next generation is ready to push the boundaries of the shortest format of the game.
His consistency in high-impact performances has become a defining characteristic of his career. It’s clear that whenever Urvil Patel steps onto the pitch, the possibility of a record-breaking innings is very real. This spectacular form is exactly what franchises and national selectors look for in a modern-day T20 player. The century was not just a personal milestone; it was a statement about his growing stature in the sport.
The Unsold Story: A Statement to the IPL
Perhaps the most compelling subplot to this incredible innings is the timing of the event. Urvil Patel delivered his record-breaking century just days after going unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Despite being part of the Gujarat Titans squad in the 2023 season, he was released and found no buyers at his base price for the subsequent season.
This powerful performance was the most emphatic reply Urvil Patel could have given to the franchises that overlooked him. It was a clear, thunderous message delivered with 12 sixes: his talent cannot be ignored. The 28-ball century serves as a stark reminder to all teams about the destructive potential he possesses.
Many experts and fans immediately called for his inclusion as a replacement player or highlighted him as a top pick for the next auction. The hunger and determination shown by Urvil Patel after a setback are an inspiring story for any aspiring cricketer. He used the disappointment of the auction as fuel, turning it into a world-class performance that will generate significant buzz.
A Star’s Rise: Urvil Patel’s Consistent Journey
The 28-ball century is not a one-off performance for Urvil Patel but rather the peak of a consistently aggressive batting approach. Born in Mehsana, Gujarat, he has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit for several years. His style of play—attacking from the very first ball—perfectly suits the demands of the T20 format.
A look back at his career highlights his history of scoring centuries at breakneck speed. Exactly a year before his T20 record, Urvil Patel smashed a 41-ball hundred for Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Arunachal Pradesh. That List-A (One-Day) century was the second-fastest by an Indian in that format, second only to Yusuf Pathan’s 40-ball ton.
This remarkable sequence of quick hundreds in different formats showcases his ability to switch gears and maintain an elite strike rate. For a player to hold two of the fastest century records by an Indian in T20 and List-A cricket is truly exceptional. It firmly establishes Urvil Patel as a generational talent when it comes to explosive batting.
The Science of Power Hitting
The modern game of cricket is heavily influenced by data and metrics, and the strike rate is the king of T20 cricket. Urvil Patel’s astonishing strike rate of over 320 in his record innings is a perfect example of what is now required at the elite level. It’s a knock that minimizes dot balls and maximizes boundary hitting, which is the foundational principle of successful T20 batting.
His technique involves clearing the front leg and using a powerful, rotational swing to generate immense bat speed. This allows him to convert good-length deliveries and even slower balls into sixes. The ability to find the boundary with such consistency is a skill honed through years of dedicated practice and a fearless approach to the game.
The smaller grounds used in domestic tournaments sometimes aid these scores, but taking full advantage of the conditions still requires exceptional skill. Urvil Patel didn’t just capitalize; he demolished the opposition’s plans, demonstrating superior awareness and execution. His success serves as a blueprint for young batters looking to master the art of T20 hitting.
The Global Benchmark: Urvil Patel Joins the Elite
While Urvil Patel holds the Indian T20 record, his 28-ball knock stands as the second-fastest T20 century in the history of all competitive cricket globally. He sits just one ball shy of the overall world record held by Sahil Chauhan of Estonia, who scored a century in 27 balls in a T20 International (T20I) in 2024.
This places the Gujarat batter ahead of legendary global T20 figures. He surpassed the long-standing record of the ‘Universe Boss’, Chris Gayle, whose 30-ball century in the IPL in 2013 was once considered an unbreakable milestone. Being in the same conversation as Gayle and the other names in the table below solidifies Patel’s reputation on the international stage.
The record books now feature Urvil Patel’s name prominently, highlighting the speed and intensity of modern-day cricket. His record is a symbol of the ever-evolving nature of the sport, where boundaries are constantly being redefined. It is a moment of pride for Indian cricket that one of its domestic players is setting the pace globally in this niche, yet highly sought-after, skill.
World Record for Fastest Century Across Formats
To fully appreciate the scale of Urvil Patel’s achievement, it is useful to compare his T20 record with the fastest centuries scored in other formats of the game—Test and One Day Internationals (ODI). Scoring a century quickly in T20 is tough, but doing so in a longer format presents different challenges. The table below lists the most significant and fastest centuries ever recorded in competitive cricket, highlighting the sheer power and speed required.
This table clearly shows where Urvil Patel’s 28-ball masterpiece ranks in the history of the sport. His record is incredibly close to the overall T20 world record, and much faster than the records in ODI and Test cricket, which are played with different dynamics. The diversity of the fastest centuries in the table below reflects the varied demands of the three major cricket formats.
| Rank | Player Name | Nationality | Balls for Century | Match Context (Team vs Opponent) | Year | Format Type |
| 1 | Sahil Chauhan | Estonia | 27 | Estonia vs Cyprus (T20I) | 2024 | T20 |
| 2 | Urvil Patel | India | 28 | Gujarat vs Tripura (SMAT) | 2024 | Domestic T20 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 30 | RCB vs Pune Warriors (IPL) | 2013 | Domestic T20 |
| 4 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 31 | South Africa vs West Indies | 2015 | ODI |
| 5 | Rishabh Pant | India | 32 | Delhi vs Himachal Pradesh (SMAT) | 2018 | Domestic T20 |
| 6 | Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton | Namibia | 33 | Namibia vs Nepal (T20I) | 2024 | T20 |
| 7 | Corey Anderson | New Zealand | 36 | New Zealand vs West Indies | 2014 | ODI |
| 8 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 37 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | 1996 | ODI |
| 9 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 54 | New Zealand vs Australia | 2016 | Test |
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The Importance of Domestic Cricket and SMAT
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where Urvil Patel achieved his monumental score, plays a crucial role in Indian cricket. It is the proving ground where players test their skills against the best domestic talents, often under immense pressure. Performances here are directly linked to selection for the IPL and, eventually, the national team.
Patel’s century underscores the high quality and competitive nature of the SMAT tournament. It’s where raw talent is refined and world-class performances are delivered. For a player like Urvil Patel, who is looking to catch the eyes of selectors, there is no better stage to perform on. The tournament ensures that Indian cricket has a steady pipeline of explosive T20 players.
His knock is not just a personal highlight but a marketing spectacle for the tournament itself. It shows that domestic cricket in India can produce world-class moments that rival the excitement of international matches or the IPL. The SMAT competition is where the future stars, like Urvil Patel, shine brightest and announce their arrival.
Urvil Patel: A Future Prospect for Team India
The primary takeaway from this historic performance is the immense potential of Urvil Patel. Given his age and the unique ability to score centuries at such a rapid pace, he is now an undeniable candidate for higher honors. His record-breaking innings will significantly boost his profile as a player capable of turning any match on its head.
In the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of international T20 cricket, India is always looking for batters who can deliver explosiveness from the first ball. Urvil Patel perfectly fits this description. His natural aggression, combined with the technical skill of a wicketkeeper-batter, makes him a valuable asset. Selectors will now track his performance closely in every subsequent match and tournament. This 28-ball century has transitioned Urvil Patel from a promising domestic player to a cricketer on the cusp of national recognition. The future of Indian cricket, particularly in the shorter formats, looks incredibly bright with talents like his emerging.
Conclusion: The Era of Power
Urvil Patel’s 28-ball century is more than just a statistical anomaly; it is a sign of the times in cricket. It symbolizes an era defined by raw power, fearless batting, and the relentless pursuit of high strike rates. This historic innings has firmly established Urvil Patel as one of the most destructive and exciting batsmen in the global game today.
He has done more than just break a record; he has issued a challenge to every other power-hitter. The cricketing world will be keenly watching Urvil Patel‘s next move, anticipating more of his breathtaking displays of aggression. This unforgettable night in Indore will forever be remembered as the moment a domestic star announced himself on the world stage with a truly staggering record.
This video provides an analysis of Urvil Patel’s record-breaking T20 century, comparing it to Rishabh Pant’s previous record. Urvil Patel 28 Ball Century Broke Rishabh Pant Record!
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly reported match statistics and data available at the time of publication. The information presented herein is for news and informational purposes only. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content and disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify facts from official sources.
