Ruturaj Gaikwad – The Calm Leader and Consistent Run Machine
Ruturaj Gaikwad is a modern-day cricketing star who blends classical technique with explosive strokeplay. Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, he has steadily risen through the ranks of domestic cricket, established himself in the Indian team, and now leads the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Known for his calm demeanor and consistency, Gaikwad has become a symbol of composure in high-pressure situations.
Quick Facts
Attribute |
Details |
Full Name |
Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad |
Born |
January 31, 1997, Pune, Maharashtra |
Batting Style |
Right-handed |
Role |
Top-order Batter |
Teams |
India, Maharashtra, Chennai Super Kings, Yorkshire |
IPL Captaincy |
Chennai Super Kings (appointed in 2024) |
International Debut |
T20I – July 28, 2021 vs Sri Lanka |
Notable Awards |
IPL Orange Cap (2021), Emerging Player Award |
Early Life and Education
Ruturaj was born in Pune to a middle-class Marathi-speaking family. His father worked at DRDO, and his mother is a schoolteacher. From a young age, cricket was Gaikwad’s primary passion, and his parents fully supported his dream. He studied at St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School and later attended Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s Polytechnic in Pune.
Domestic Career Journey
Ruturaj joined the Varroc Dilip Vengsarkar Academy in Pune at age 13. He made an early mark with big scores, including a 306-run knock in a local tournament in 2015. He made his:
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First-Class debut: October 6, 2016 (Ranji Trophy)
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T20 debut: February 2, 2017 (Inter-State T20)
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List A debut: February 25, 2017 (Vijay Hazare Trophy)
Key Domestic Performances
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Scored 444 runs in the 2016–17 Vijay Hazare Trophy at an average of 63.42
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Represented India A, India B, India Blue, and U-23 teams
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Scored four centuries in four matches in Mandke Trophy (2019)
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Hit 187* for India A vs Sri Lanka A (2019)
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Scored four hundreds in the 2021–22 Vijay Hazare Trophy, equalling Virat Kohli’s record
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Hit 7 sixes in an over during a 2022–23 Vijay Hazare Trophy match – a first in cricket history
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Holds the record for most centuries (12) in Vijay Hazare Trophy history
Indian Premier League (IPL)
Ruturaj was signed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2018 and made a big impact in the 2021 season:
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Maiden IPL Century: 101* vs Rajasthan Royals (2021)
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Orange Cap Winner: 635 runs in IPL 2021
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Emerging Player of the Year: IPL 2021
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Retained by CSK for ₹6 crore in 2022
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Appointed CSK Captain: March 21, 2024, succeeding MS Dhoni
As captain, he brings calm leadership, tactical awareness, and continues to contribute with the bat.
International Career
Ruturaj made his T20I debut in July 2021 and ODI debut in October 2022. His rise in international cricket has been steady across formats:
Notable International Highlights:
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Scored maiden T20I half-century vs South Africa (2022)
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Maiden ODI fifty: 71 vs Australia (Sept 2023)
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Led India to Gold Medal at the 2022 Asian Games as T20I captain
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Scored maiden international century – 123 off 57 balls vs Australia (3rd T20I, Nov 2023)
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First Indian to score a T20I century against Australia
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Played key roles in tours of West Indies, Ireland, Zimbabwe
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Vice-captain for India in multiple T20I series in 2023
Despite strong performances, he was dropped from India’s 2024 Sri Lanka tour, raising eyebrows among fans.
County Cricket
In 2025, Ruturaj signed with Yorkshire County Cricket Club to participate in the County Championship and One-Day Cup, marking his expansion into English domestic cricket.
Maharashtra Premier League (MPL)
He was picked for ₹14.8 crore (3 years) by the Puneri Bappa franchise in the MPL 2023 and appointed as team captain, strengthening his leadership credentials.
Personal Life
Ruturaj resides in the Sangvi area of Pune. On June 3, 2023, he married Utkarsha Pawar, a fellow cricketer and long-time partner, in Mahabaleshwar.
Records and Achievements
Record/Title |
Details |
Most Centuries in Vijay Hazare Trophy |
12 (as of 2023) |
Fastest 7 sixes in an over |
Hit 7 sixes in one over (2022–23 season) |
IPL Orange Cap Winner |
2021 – 635 runs |
Led India to Gold in Asian Games |
2022 – As T20I captain |
First Indian to score T20I century vs AUS |
123 (57) in Nov 2023 |
Ruturaj Gaikwad represents the new generation of Indian cricketers — humble, hard-working, and technically sound. Whether he’s leading CSK, smashing sixes, or breaking domestic records, Gaikwad remains a dependable and classy presence at the crease. His future looks bright as he continues to make his mark both at home and abroad.