Urvil Patel sets record for fastest T20 century by an Indian

In India, Urvil Patel achieved a remarkable milestone in T20 cricket by scoring the fastest century by an Indian during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He reached the 100-run mark in just 28 balls, surpassing the previous Indian record held by Rishabh Pant, who scored a century in 32 balls in 2018. This achievement is particularly notable as it came a day after Patel went unsold in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, highlighting a dramatic turn of events for the young batter. Patel has a history of impressive performances, having previously scored the second fastest 50-over hundred by an Indian in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he achieved a century off 41 balls. Despite being part of the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 IPL season, Patel did not play any matches and was released before the mega auction. He was designated as an uncapped wicketkeeper-batter and surprisingly did not receive any bids during the auction, where 182 players were sold over two days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The auction featured significant bidding wars, with Rishabh Pant emerging as the top buy, sold for INR 27 crore ($3.21 million) to Lucknow Super Giants after a heated battle that included the refusal of Delhi Capitals to retain him using the Right-To-Match option. This combination of being overlooked in the IPL auction and then breaking a national record in domestic cricket offers a fascinating narrative about ups and downs in a sports career. Patel's record-setting performance has drawn significant attention, as it showcases a promising talent in Indian cricket, bringing hope and recognition right at a moment when he might have felt discouraged. The achievement is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and how quickly a player's fortunes can change, providing a glimpse into the future of promising players like Patel amid ongoing competition in the cricket landscape. As the cricketing community reacts to Patel's outstanding performance, discussions are likely to arise regarding the dynamics of player selection and the impact of auction decisions on young talents. Patel's rapid ascent to this record heightening the spotlight on him could lead to opportunities at higher levels of competition and more recognition in Indian cricket circles. It’s essential for players like him to continue seizing moments and building upon their skills despite the setbacks they may face.