Ruturaj Gaikwad (full name – Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad, born 31 January 1997) is an Indian international cricketer who represents India. He is a right-handed opening batsman and an occasional right-arm off-break bowler. Gaikwad plays for Maharashtra cricket team in domestic cricket and for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He has represented India primarily in the One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats.
Career Highlights
| Achievement | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | 1997 | Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad |
| Born | 31 Jan 1997 | Age and birth details |
| Birthplace | 1997 | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Role | — | Opening batsman |
| Batting Style | — | Right-handed |
| International Debut (T20I) | 2021 | Debut vs Sri Lanka |
| ODI Debut | 2022 | Debut vs South Africa |
| Century (ODI) | 2023 | First ODI century vs Australia |
| T20I Century | 2023 | 123* vs Australia |
| IPL Team | 2020–present | Chennai Super Kings |
| Captaincy | 2024 | CSK captain |
| Notable Record | 2022 | Orange Cap winner (IPL) |
| Jersey Number | — | 31 |
Ruturaj Gaikwad is regarded as a technically sound opening batsman in Indian cricket. He gained prominence through consistent performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League, particularly with Chennai Super Kings. His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required has made him a key player in limited-overs formats. Gaikwad’s rise includes notable milestones such as winning the IPL Orange Cap and scoring centuries in international cricket. His appointment as captain of Chennai Super Kings marked a significant step in his leadership career. He is considered part of India’s emerging batting group in white-ball cricket.
Early Life and Background
Ruturaj Gaikwad was born in Pune, Maharashtra. His father, Dashrat Gaikwad, worked in the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), while his mother is a teacher. He completed his schooling in Pune and showed early interest in cricket.
Gaikwad began formal cricket training at a young age and progressed through age-group cricket in Maharashtra. He represented Maharashtra at the Under-16 and Under-19 levels, establishing himself as a consistent top-order batsman.
Domestic Career
Gaikwad made his debut for Maharashtra cricket team in domestic cricket across formats including the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He gained recognition during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored multiple centuries and emerged as one of the leading run-scorers. His consistent performances in List A cricket contributed to his selection for higher levels.
A notable breakthrough came in the 2022 Vijay Hazare Trophy when he scored a double century and hit seven consecutive sixes in an over, a rare achievement in List A cricket.
International Career
Test Career
As of now, Ruturaj Gaikwad has not made his debut in Test cricket.
ODI Career
Gaikwad made his ODI debut for India national cricket team in 2022 against South Africa. He scored his first ODI century in 2023 against Australia. His role in ODIs has primarily been as a top-order batsman.
T20I Career
He made his T20I debut in 2021 against Sri Lanka. Gaikwad scored his maiden T20I century (123*) against Australia in 2023, which is among the highest scores by an Indian in the format. He is known for maintaining a high strike rate while providing stability at the top.
Indian Premier League (IPL) Career
Ruturaj Gaikwad was signed by Chennai Super Kings in 2019 and made his debut in the 2020 season.
He emerged as a key player in the 2021 season, scoring consistently and playing a major role in CSK’s title-winning campaign. In 2022, he won the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs in the tournament.
In 2024, he was appointed captain of Chennai Super Kings, succeeding MS Dhoni. His leadership marked a transition phase for the franchise.
Playing Style
Gaikwad is a technically sound right-handed batsman known for his timing and shot selection. He primarily plays as an opening batsman and is effective against both pace and spin.
His strengths include consistency, ability to build innings, and controlled aggression. He is particularly strong on the off-side and plays classical cricket shots.
Compared to other Indian openers, Gaikwad’s style is often described as composed and methodical rather than power-focused. He is less reliant on unorthodox shots and focuses on placement and timing.
Records and Achievements
- Orange Cap winner in the Indian Premier League (2022)
- Scored 123* in T20I cricket vs Australia (2023)
- Double century in Vijay Hazare Trophy (2022)
- Hit seven sixes in an over in List A cricket
- Leading run-scorer for Maharashtra in multiple domestic seasons
- Key contributor to Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2021 title
Personal Life
Ruturaj Gaikwad married Indian cricketer Utkarsha Pawar in 2023. He maintains a relatively private personal life.
Outside cricket, he is known to have interests in fitness and travel.
Awards and Honours
- Orange Cap – Indian Premier League (2022)
- Player of the Match awards in IPL and international cricket
- Recognition in domestic tournaments for highest run aggregates
