'He played the most important innings of IPL 2026' - R Ashwin's massive praise for Urvil Patel after heroics in CSK vs LSG

Urvil Patel was getting starts in the last few matches, but on Sunday, May 10, he decimated the Lucknow Super Giants' (LSG) bowlers and helped the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) chase down a 204-run target with consummate ease.

Urvil smashed 65 off 23 balls, belting two fours and eight sixes. He batted at a mind-boggling strike rate of 282.61. When he was dismissed, Chennai needed only 78 runs off 64 balls. So, he effectively brought the required run rate down to 7.50.

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran

Ashwin heaped praise on the 27-year-old and called his knock the most important one of the ongoing IPL 2026. The 39-year-old also suggested that Urvil could open the batting instead of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to allow the youngster to maximise the power play overs.

“Urvil Patel – It was the most important innings of this IPL 2026 campaign. It’s because CSK haven’t chased 180 in the last 7 years, with his knock, they easily chased down the target [have chased 180 only two times since 2019, including 204 vs LSG]. The way he batted, he didn’t even think for a minute whether he should take a single. I thought he would break the record. The way he batted, he should stick to it. If we get powerplay like that, who knows, it can be six wins in a row," Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“If someone plays in that fashion, they would win the match in the powerplay. Ruturaj Gaikwad can change his tempo and play. What Kartik Sharma is doing, he can do. Why not? Promote Urvil at the top. Why keep him down the order? He can finish the match in the powerplay," he added.

“Need to take responsibility” – R Ashwin warns CSK despite win over LSG in IPL 2026

Ashwin noted that Dewald Brevis hasn't been in great form and stressed that Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Urvil Patel should take more responsibility. He opined that the Men in Yellow are not looking comfortable in pressure situations.

“CSK batting has a lot of power, but Brevis hasn’t yet come to the party. If CSK loses Sanju Samson early, or if the opposition team gets to a good start. It looks like CSK has less firepower; their pressure handling hasn’t looked good. There are things that CSK needs to pay attention to. Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Urvil Patel need to take responsibility [until 18th over].”