Abhinav Mukund urges Chennai Super Kings to trade Urvil Patel despite 13-ball IPL fifty

Former India opener Abhinav Mukund on 2026-11-11 told viewers on JioStar's Game Plan that Chennai Super Kings should consider trading Urvil Patel ahead of the IPL 2027 season, despite Patel’s joint-fastest IPL fifty — a 13-ball effort against Lucknow Super Giants.

Urvil joined CSK midway through the 2025 season as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batter Vansh Bedi, who was ruled out of the tournament. He also broke Suresh Raina’s record for the fastest fifty by a CSK batter. Mukund warned that CSK’s abundance of young top-order options could limit Urvil’s opportunities in the playing XI.

“I feel there is an opportunity for CSK to trade a player like Urvil Patel. CSK already have the likes of Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis and Sarfaraz Khan in their squad, and if all of these batters are fit, then Urvil sadly doesn't find a place in the side,” Mukund said while speaking on JioStar's Game Plan.

Mukund expanded on which players CSK should retain and which could be moved, singling out Ayush Mhatre for special mention. “Ayush Mhatre is not a tradable option. He's the next big thing for CSK, bats at number three, opens the batting, and gives them an explosive start. Right now, they have too many top-order batters. Everyone wants to bat in the top four, and that is a problem. So why not release Urvil and keep Sarfaraz as your backup? It would give CSK a more settled squad and give Urvil the game time he deserves,” Mukund added.

Urvil has remained in strong form outside the IPL: the 28-year-old recently struck his maiden first-class double century, remaining unbeaten on 210 against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He scored 210 off 227 deliveries, including 17 fours and six sixes, and brought up the double century in 214 balls.

Chennai Super Kings enter the discussion after three underwhelming seasons and with the stated aim of winning a record-extending sixth IPL title under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Mukund’s recommendation would effectively make Urvil available for trade ahead of the IPL 2027 auction window, a move he argues would both free a top-order slot within CSK and provide Urvil with greater playing opportunities elsewhere.