Ruturaj Gaikwad – The Story of Chennai Super Kings’ Future
6 min read
Ruturaj Gaikwad has emerged as one of the most promising young batsmen on our Indian team. He has risen from the ground through the ranks and now has established himself in both the Chennai Super Kings franchise and Indian cricket. He is popular among cricket lovers for his smooth stroke playing techniques and temperament at the crease. For the Chennai Super Kings, he has become one of the key players on which the team can depend to create runs on the scoreboard. In the IPL season of last year, he also captained for CSK, while Mahendra SIngh Dhoni shared his experience with him from behind the stumps.
His journey of coming to this stage in cricket from playing local cricket in Pune is nothing less than a miracle story. He has forged his path through his dedication to the game, sheer dedication and unmatchable hard work.
Early Life and Domestic Cricket Journey
Birth and Childhood
Ruturaj Dasharath Gaikwad came into the world on January 31, 1997, in Pune, Maharashtra. His father, Dasharath Gaikwad used to work with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), while his mother, Savita Gaikwad, was a school teacher. His family was very academically inclined but Ruturaj had some other plans from an early age. He started playing cricket at the young age of just five years. His father observed his keen interest in Cricket and enrolled him in the Varroc Dilip Vengsarkar Academy in Thergaon, Pune.
In the age group he was playing with he made quite remarkable progress. He quickly adapted to the basic techniques of cricket, his talent was visible to all therefore very soon he started playing with players higher than his age.
Breakthrough in Domestic Cricket
Maharashtra U-16 and U-19 Teams
Gaikwad started representing Maharastra very early in Under 16 and Under 19 tournaments. He impressed everyone with his batting during these tournaments. He caught the attention of selectors for the first time when he played a record-breaking innings of 306 runs in a single match in the Maharashtra Invitational Tournament.
Ranji Trophy Debut (2016-17 Season)
Ruturaj made his first-class debut for Maharashtra in the 2016-17 season of Ranji Trophy. From the first match itself, he started showing his class batting through solid knocks. However, his major breakthrough moment came in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy where he emerged as the leading run scorer for Maharashtra.
| Ranji Trophy | 2018-19 | 7 matches | 456 runs | 4 fifties |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 2019 | 5 matches | 365 runs | 3 centuries |
His consistently outstanding performances in domestic cricket caught the attention of IPL teams. As a result, he secured his maiden IPL contract.
Ruturaj Gaikwad – Personal Life Details
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad |
| Date of Birth | 31 January 1997 |
| Age | 28 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | 68 kg (Approx.) |
| Batting Style | Right-Handed Batsman |
| Bowling Style | Right-Arm Off-Spin (Part-time) |
| Role in team | Opening Batsman |
| Father | Dashrath Gaikwad (Defence Research Officer) |
| Mother | Savita Gaikwad (Teacher) |
| Wife | Utkarsha Pawar (Married in June 2023) |
| Hobbies | Travelling, Listening to Music, Fitness |
| Education | Bachelor’s Degree (Pune University) |
| Favorite Cricketer | Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni |
| Favourite IPL Team as a Kid | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| Jersey Number | 31 (IPL & International) |
| Current IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| Domestic Team | Maharashtra (Ranji Trophy) |
| Debut in IPL | 2020 (for CSK) |
| Debut in T20I | 2021 (for India vs Sri Lanka) |
| Debut in ODI | 2022 (for India vs South Africa) |
| Achievements | IPL 2021 Orange Cap Winner, IPL Winner 2021 & 2023, Emerging Player of IPL 2021, CSK Captain (2024) |
IPL Journey – The Rise of a Star
IPL 2019: The First Step with Chennai Super Kings
In his first IPL auction of 2019, Ruturaj Gaikwad was bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for just ₹20 lakh. Unfortunately during the complete season, he did not get the chance to play for the franchise and showcase his abilities.
He did not get the time to play on the field. But off the field, during nets, he became the favourite of MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming. They recognised his talent very early and moulded his abilities. They also encouraged him to be patient and ensured him that his time would come very soon.
Read Also:-IPL Streaming Checklist: Your Complete Guide to Enjoying the Season at Home
IPL 2020: A Tough Start but a Promising End
The 2020 IPL was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to this, the tournament venue was shifted to UAE. During the COVID testing, Gaikwas was tested positive right before the tournament. Thus, he was not able to play for CSK initially which delayed his debut.
His chance finally came during the middle of the season. However, just after recovering from COVID, he was struggling with his performance in the first few games. He scored only 5, 0, and 0 in his first three innings. This did not shake Dhoni’s belief in him. He kept giving him some more time to play and his belief paid well for CSK. In the last three innings of IPL 2020 he scored
| 72 runs | vs KKR |
| 65 runs | vs RCB |
| 62 runs | vs KXIP |
At the end of the season, his total runs were 204 in just 6 matches at an average of 51.00. This displayed his ability to anchor his innings and walk back to the pavilion after finishing games.
IPL 2021: Winning the Orange Cap and Becoming a Star
IPL 2021 can be called the breakout season of Ruturaj Gaikwad. He became Chennai Super King’s most consistent batsman this year. Throughout the tournament, he formed a formidable opening partnership with Faf du Plessis.
IPL 2021 Stats:
| Matches | 16 |
| Runs | 635 |
| Average | 45.35 |
| Strike Rate | 136.26 |
| 100s | 1 |
| 50s | 4 |
| Highest Score | 101* |
Key Achievements:
- Won the IPL 2021 title with CSK
- Orange Cap Winner (Highest run-scorer)
- Emerging Player of the Year
His consistent crucial performances in the playoffs including the match-winning 101 against Rajasthan Royals became a major factor for Chennai Super Kings for winning the champions title this year.
IPL 2022: A Challenging Season
The 2022 season was one of the most disappointing seasons for CSK in the history of IPL. They finished 9th on the points table and disappointed their fans. Ruturaj’s performance was also inconsistent throughout the tournament but still he managed to score 368 runs in 14 matches. His best innings came against Sunrisers Hyderabad where he made a total of 99 runs. This season defined his importance in the CSK squad. As he struggled with his performance so as the CSK.
IPL 2023: Back to Form, Another IPL Title
Ruturaj bounced back in IPL 2023. He scored a total of 590 runs in just 16 matches with a furious strike rate of 147.50.
His key performances in IPL 2023 include:
- 92 off 50 vs Gujarat Titans
- 60 off 44 in the IPL final vs GT
Thanks to his important 60-run innings in the final, CSK won their fifth IPL title this year. Once again he proved his worth that is why he is such a big player in key matches.
IPL 2024: The Captaincy Era Begins
In IPL 2024, on March 21, Ruturaj Gaikwad was named as the captain of CSK. He was chosen as the successor of the great Mahendra SIngh Dhoni. Under the careful guidance of Dhoni, he led the 2024 season for CSK.
Overall IPL Career Stats (2019-2024)
Batting Statistics
| IPL Season | Matches (M) | Runs (R) | Highest Score (HS) | Average (Avg) | Strike Rate (S/R) | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s |
| 2024 | 14 | 583 | 108* | 53.00 | 141.16 | 1 | 4 | 58 | 18 |
| 2023 | 16 | 590 | 92 | 42.14 | 147.50 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 30 |
| 2022 | 14 | 368 | 99 | 26.29 | 126.46 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 14 |
| 2021 | 16 | 635 | 101* | 45.35 | 136.26 | 1 | 4 | 64 | 23 |
| 2020 | 6 | 204 | 72 | 51.00 | 120.71 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 6 |
| All IPL | 66 | 2,380 | 108* | 41.75 | 136.86 | 2 | 18 | 217 | 91 |
Fielding Statistics
| IPL Season | Matches (MAT) | Catches Taken |
| 2024 | 14 | 5 |
| 2023 | 16 | 17 |
| 2022 | 14 | 4 |
| 2021 | 16 | 6 |
| 2020 | 6 | 4 |
| All IPL | 66 | 36 |
Ruturaj Gaikwad IPL Auction Price History
| Year | Price | Team |
| 2019 | 20.00 Lac | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2020 | 20.00 Lac | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2021 | 20.00 Lac | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2022 | 6.00 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2023 | 6.00 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2024 | 6.00 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2025 | 18.00 Cr | Chennai Super Kings |
International Career
After his miraculous 2021 IPL, it became very clear that he will soon be seen in the Indian jersey to represent India internationally. He made his T20I debut for India on July 28, 2021, against Sri Lanka. His first maiden T20I century came against Australia where he made 123 runs in 2023.
