Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) Urvil Patel, who made his debut recently for the franchise, revealed the advice he received from MS Dhoni upon joining the team as an injury replacement of Vansh Bedi.
It is not every day that a cricketer gets to share a dressing room with Dhoni. For Urvil, that dream turned into reality in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025). The moment was not just about getting a game, it was about soaking in a few words from the legend himself.
Urvil Patel has been around Indian cricket’s busy domestic lanes for a while. Hailing from Gujarat, he has made a name for himself with his fearless stroke play and ability to take on spinners early.
Also read: IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings Summon Urvil Patel For Mid-Season Trials - Reports
MS Dhoni’s One-Line Message to Urvil Patel
It was not as not a long chat with MS Dhoni, as Urvil revealed. No grand advice, no motivational speech. It took just five seconds of a chat with the CSK legend to leave a lasting impression on Urvil.
In a video shared by CSK on social media, Urvil Patel opened up on Dhoni’s advice. He revealed that the CSK captain told him to continue batting as he does and not overthink.
"Mahi bhai ne bas sirf aisa bola ki jo khelta aa rahe ho waise bindass khelo. Kya koi sochega aise kuch nahi hai. Sirf tum bindass kehlo and all the best. Bohot hi simple. 5 seconds mai ho gaya tha unka (He told me to just continue playing the way I have been playing and not to worry about who will think what. He told me to play my game and said all the best. It was very simple. He was done in five seconds)," Urvil said as quoted.
The 26-year-old, who had previously been part of the Gujarat Titans (GT) set-up, expressed his admiration for Dhoni, recalling their first meeting during the IPL 2023 playoffs between CSK and GT. He reminisced about taking a photo with Dhoni while wearing the GT jersey, and now, sharing the dressing room and playing under his leadership in the same jersey feels surreal to him.
"Jab mai unse pehli baar mila tha playoffs mai 2023 mai CSK vs GT mei, toh pehli baar unse baat hua tha. Maine unse photo click karwaya tha tab mai GT ke jersey mai tha aur woh CSK ke jersey mai. Abhi woh photo dekhta hu toh bohot accha lagta hai. Jisko idol manta tha, sirf unko milne ka sapna tha, abhi unke sath dressing room share karne mil raha hai. Unke under mujhe playing 11 mai jagah mil rahi hai aur dono ek hi jersey mai. Toh bohot hi accha lag raha hai (When I first met him in the playoffs in 2023 in a CSK vs GT match, I spoke to him for the first time. I had clicked a picture with him when I was in the GT jersey, and he was in the CSK jersey. When I look at the photo now, I feel very good. I looked at him as my idol, had a dream to meet him, and I shared the dressing room with him. I am getting to play in the playing 11 under him, and we both are in the same jersey. So I feel very good)," Urvil added.
Urvil Patel’s IPL Debut
Urvil debuted in the IPL 2025 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Batting at No. 3, he showed his potential, listening to Dhoni's advice. He added the much-needed firepower to CSK’s batting line-up, smashing four sixes in his 11-ball 31.
In the next match versus Rajasthan Royals (RR), he was dismissed for a duck.
As Chennai look to build a team for the future after a disappointing IPL 2025, there is always room for a player like Urvil who bats aggressively. It is too early to predict how his IPL chapter will unfold, but the early signs suggest he is not just here to fill a gap. He is here to stake a claim.
Also read: IPL 2025: Who Is Urvil Patel? CSK’s New Signing Replacing Injured Vansh Bedi
