Wed Nov 27 20:37:57 UTC 2024: **Unwanted IPL Player Responds with Record-Breaking Century**
**Ahmedabad, India** – Urvil Patel, a wicketkeeper-batsman surprisingly overlooked in the recently concluded IPL 2025 auction, responded to his exclusion with a stunning performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Patel, released by Gujarat Titans despite a strong domestic record, smashed the fastest-ever century in the tournament’s history, achieving the feat in just 28 balls.
The two-day IPL auction saw 182 players purchased by the ten franchises. While many players found new teams, Patel, with a base price of ₹30 lakh, was not selected by any team. This snub came despite his impressive domestic T20 career stats: 988 runs at a 164.11 strike rate in 44 matches, including one century and four half-centuries.
In stark contrast to his auction disappointment, Patel’s explosive innings of 113 runs off 35 balls (including 12 sixes and 7 fours) eclipsed Rishabh Pant’s previous record of a 32-ball century in the same tournament. Pant, notably, was the most expensive player purchased in the IPL auction, fetching ₹27 crore for Lucknow.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering Patel’s lack of opportunity with Gujarat Titans, who drafted him in 2022 but did not give him a single match in the two years he was with the team. His remarkable response highlights the unpredictable nature of the IPL and the determination of players striving to prove their worth.
First Piper 