Ruturaj Gaikwad: Profile, career info and achievements

IPL 2024: Ruturaj Gaikwad named CSK captain after Dhoni steps down.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is named the new skipper of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down just a day ahead of the start of Indian Premiere League (IPL) 2024.

27-year-old Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored 1797 IPL runs with 14 fifties and a hundred at a strike rate of 135.52.

Gaikwad was a part of IPL-winning squad of CSK in IPL 2023 and his contribution was significant in team’s performance. Gaikwad scored 590 runs from his 16 matches in the series. His batting average was 42.14 and strike rate 147.50.

The right-handed opener from Maharashtra is also known by the nickname of “Rocket Raja”. Gaikwad piled up runs in international cricket, and his Indian Premier League (IPL) career grew simultaneously.

The stylish opening batsman has smashed 73 sixes since his debut season (2020), where he missed games after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Ruturaj Gaikwad returned towards the end of the league and scored three fifties in six matches.

Three years ago in Abu Dhabi, Gaikwad scored an IPL century, 101 not out off 60 balls, against the Rajasthan Royals. He hit five sixes and nine fours in the innings.

Last year, his highest score was 92 off 50 balls in the opening game against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The 27-year-old right-hand batsman was always a captaincy prospect at CSK and he got his chance as Mahendra Singh Dhoni has decided to step down.

Gaikwad led India to a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2023. On the international front, he has 500 T20I runs in 19 innings, which includes an unbeaten 123.

Gaikwad was the only batsman to score two centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, the BCCI domestic tournament, in 2022-23 season for Maharashtra. He had a strike-rate of 146.76 in those six games.

Ruturaj Gaikwad IPL stats & records

Matches: 52

Runs: 1,7,97

50s: 14

100s: 1

Highest score: 101*

4s: 159

6s: 73