Chennai: Urvil Patel tied the record for the fastest half-century in Indian Premier League history on Sunday, reaching the milestone in just 13 balls to lead Chennai Super Kings' charge against Lucknow Super Giants.

Patel's blistering performance at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium matched the all-time league record set by Yashasvi Jaiswal in 2023. The 27-year-old Gujarat batter dismantled the Lucknow bowling attack, smashing seven towering sixes to reach his fifty before eventually falling for 65 off 23 deliveries.

Coming in at No. 3 after the dismissal of Sanju Samson, Patel hit five consecutive sixes in the sixth over, bowled by Digvesh Singh Rathi. His departure, caught by Avesh Khan off the bowling of Shahbaz Ahmed, ended a whirlwind innings that included eight sixes and two boundaries at a strike rate of 282.61.

Earlier, Josh Inglis struck a rapid 85 off 33 balls to help Lucknow post a formidable 203-8. Despite the early onslaught, Chennai's bowlers rallied in the middle overs, led by Jamie Overton’s 3-36.

Patel's knock has left Chennai in a commanding position in the 204-run chase as they look to secure a vital win for their playoff ambitions. The right-hander already holds the record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian, a 28-ball hundred achieved in domestic cricket in 2024.