Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the rising star of Indian cricket. The stylish opener from Pune has impressed one and all in the TATA IPL with his classical batting and ability to score runs consistently. Gaikwad first caught the eye in IPL 2020 when he scored three half-centuries in six matches for Chennai Super Kings in the UAE. He followed that up with a breakout season in 2021, smashing 635 runs at an average of 45 with a maiden IPL hundred winning the orange cap.

Gaikwad's success in the TATA IPL earned him a debut for the Indian T20i team in 2021. With his compact technique and gift of timing, Gaikwad is seen as the future of Indian batting in all formats. He idolises MS Dhoni and has spoken about the invaluable lessons he has learned from the CSK captain.

In IPL 2022, Gaikwad was retained by CSK for Rs 6 crore, a testament to his value to the franchise. He had a slow start to the season but found his groove in the second half, scoring consistently in the top order. Gaikwad's standout knock came against Sunrisers Hyderabad when he smashed 99 off just 57 balls, narrowly missing out on a second IPL hundred.

With his calmness and hunger for runs, Gaikwad is the perfect fit for CSK's batting philosophy. He has formed a formidable opening partnership with Devon Conway (who is ruled out of the first half of IPL 2024) and the duo will be key to CSK's chances of winning a record-equalling fifth IPL title. At 27, Gaikwad has a long career ahead of him and has already drawn comparisons with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for his batting style.

Off the field, Gaikwad is a humble and soft-spoken individual. He lives with his family in Pune and is very close to his coach Mohan Jadhav, whom he credits for his success. With his talent and work ethic, Gaikwad has the potential to be a mainstay in the Indian team across formats. For now, he will look to pile on the runs for CSK in the TATA IPL and stake his claim for a spot in India's squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Explore more profiles: Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Shubman Gill | Rinku Singh | David Warner