Ruturaj Gaikwad is now one of the most talked about new-age batters in Indian cricket. He represents the Indian national team, captains the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, and plays domestically for Maharashtra. From the streets of Pune to being captain of one of the biggest teams in the world—his tale is a legacy built on raw talent, patience, and hard work.
This article is all about Ruturaj Gaikwad, his early life and family details, his cricketing career and batting statistics, his net worth, his wife, and some latest information. This guide is for all cricket lovers and fans who want to know why this player is special in the cricket world.
Early Life and Family Background
Birth and Family
Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad (born 31 January 1997), in a Marathi family, was born in Pune, Maharashtra. His father Dasharath Gaikwad, is an employee at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), while his mother, Sawita, works as a schoolteacher. A lot of his family encouragement to play cricket started very early courtesy of his parents.
His family of Ruturaj Gaikwad always encouraged his cricketing dream. He was born and raised in the Sangvi area of Pimpri-Chinchwad in Pune.
Education
Ruturaj went to school at St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School in Khadki and Laxmibai Nadgude School, Pimple Nilakh, Pune. Thereafter, he went to Marathvada Mitra Mandal’s Polytechnic. He was a student then, but his orientation towards cricket was always evident.
Early Cricket Training
He joined the Varroc Dilip Vengsarkar Academy in Thergaon when he was only 13. He made 63 against Mumbai’s MIG Cricket Club and was the Player of the Match in the 2010 Cadence Trophy. The early recognition put him ahead of the game.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Age and Physical Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad |
| Date of Birth | 31 January 1997 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 29 years |
| Birthplace | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off break |
| Role | Top-order batter |
| Nicknames | Rutu, Rocket Raja |
| Jersey Number | 31 |
The Ruturaj Gaikwad age is currently 29 years, and he is in the prime phase of his cricketing career.
Domestic Cricket Career
Maharashtra
He made his domestic debut for the Maharashtra team in 2016. The first big break was in the 2016-17 Vijay Hazare Trophy season when he emerged as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 444 runs during that cycle with an average of 63.42.
He has had a great run for Maharashtra in all formats. He has scored 3,336 runs at an average of 65.41 with a strike rate of 105, in 59 matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
List A Records
In List A cricket, Ruturaj has some fantastic records. Since performing (1959), he has scored 5,060 runs from 95 innings at an average of 58.83, one of the highest averages in Test history for a player with more than 2,500 runs. He broke Michael Bevan’s all-time average and even overtook Virat Kohli’s List A average.
Highest List A Batting Averages (Minimum 50 Innings)
| Player | Innings | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Bevan | 385 | 15,103 | 57.86 |
| Sam Hain | 62 | 3,004 | 57.76 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 95 | 5,060 | 58.83 |
| Virat Kohli | 331 | 16,207 | 57.67 |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | 127 | 5,759 | 57.01 |
This table clearly shows how Ruturaj Gaikwad stats in domestic cricket place him among the greatest names in the game.
IPL Career with Chennai Super Kings
Debut and Early Days
Ruturaj joined Chennai Super Kings in 2019 but had to wait for his chance. He made his IPL debut in 2020. In his first season, he played 6 matches and scored 204 runs at an average of 51.
Breakout Season: 2021
The 2021 season was his breakthrough year. He scored 635 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26. He won the Orange Cap for being the highest run-scorer of the season and also bagged the Emerging Player of the Season award.
Consistent Performer: 2023 and 2024
In 2023, Ruturaj scored 590 runs in 15 matches at an average of 42.14 with a strike rate of 148.2. In 2024, he scored 583 runs at an average of 53 with a top score of 108*.
Captaincy
In 2024, Ruturaj was handed the captaincy of CSK, taking over from MS Dhoni. He led the team with composure and maturity. However, in the 2025 season, he was ruled out after just five matches due to injury, and Dhoni took back the captaincy for the rest of the season.
IPL Career Statistics
| Season | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 204 | 72 | 51.0 | 120.7 |
| 2021 | 16 | 635 | 101 | 45.4 | 137.4 |
| 2022 | 14 | 368 | 99 | 26.3 | 127.3 |
| 2023 | 15 | 590 | 92 | 42.1 | 148.2 |
| 2024 | 14 | 583 | 108 | 53.0 | 141.5 |
| 2025 | 5 | 122 | 63 | 24.4 | 150.6 |
| 2026 | 14 | 337 | 74 | 28.1 | 123.4 |
| Career | 84 | 2,839 | 108 | 38.4 | 136 |
This Ruturaj Gaikwad stats table shows his consistency across seasons in the IPL.
International Career
T20I Debut
Ruturaj made his T20I debut for India on 28 July 2021 against Sri Lanka. He has played 23 T20Is, scoring 633 runs at an average of 39.56 with one century and four fifties.
ODI Debut
He made his ODI debut on 6 October 2022 against South Africa. In 9 ODIs, he has scored 228 runs at an average of 28.5 with one century and one fifty.
Asian Games Gold
One of his biggest achievements was captaining the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
International Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 9 | 228 | 28.5 | 89.76 | 1 | 1 |
| T20I | 23 | 633 | 39.56 | — | 1 | 4 |
| First-Class | 45 | 3,258 | 45.25 | — | 9 | 17 |
Why Is Ruturaj Gaikwad So Special?
Many fans ask, “Why is Ruturaj Gaikwad so special?” The answer lies in his batting style and temperament.
- Elegant Stroke Play: Ruturaj is known for his effortless timing and placement. He finds gaps easily and scores freely without taking unnecessary risks.
- Calm Temperament: Unlike many aggressive young batters, Ruturaj stays calm under pressure. Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif said, “He plays on merit, he has a brilliant technique, he is calm and composed.”
- Consistency: His domestic records speak for themselves. An average of 58.83 in List A cricket is exceptional.
- Leadership: Captaining CSK and the Asian Games gold-winning team shows he has leadership qualities beyond his batting.
- Technique: His solid technique allows him to play in all formats. He is equally comfortable against pace and spin.
Why Is Ruturaj Gaikwad Not Playing for India?
It is one of the most searched questions by cricket fans. Q. Why isn’t Ruturaj Gaikwad being picked for India? The reasons are complex.
After Shreyas Iyer returned from injury, Ruturaj was dropped from the ODI team. He was introduced into the side as a backup opener due to an injury to Shubman Gill, not so much as a long-term middle-order solution.
He was not selected for the Test squad and also omitted from the T20I squads, though that sparked outrage on social media as many saw him as deserving a go in 2026.
However, there is good news. It has been learned that the next match for Ruturaj Gaikwad in India is likely to come during the ODI series against West Indies, beginning on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram. Selectors may have him in their plans again, with 2027 World Cup tugging at their minds.
Who Scored 43 Runs in 1 Over?
It’s an unusual question; the answer is, well, Ruturaj Gaikwad himself. Ruturaj Gaikwad has become the first batter in limited-overs cricket to score 43 runs (including a no-ball) in an over during a Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final against Uttar Pradesh en route to a double century.
That overtime would be where he put Shiva Singh through the wringer. It displayed him as being capable of pressing the pedal.
And yes, it’s worth adding that the record for the most run-in-one over in List-A cricket (43) are jointly held by Joe Carter and Brett Hampton from Northern Districts against Central Districts in New Zealand in 2018.
Who Is the Best Friend of Ruturaj Gaikwad?
Fans often wonder, who is the best friend of Ruturaj Gaikwad? While he shares good friendships with many players, two names stand out.
- Rajat Patidar: Ruturaj has spoken about his friendship with RCB captain Rajat Patidar. “We have been friends for a while now; we know each other really well,” he said in an interview.
- Azim Kazi: Reports suggest that Azim Kazi is considered his best friend. Ruturaj was seen celebrating uncontrollably when Azim got out during a Maharashtra Premier League match.
- Devon Conway: His CSK opening partner is also a close friend. The two share one of the best opening partnerships in the IPL.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli
Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Virat Kohli comparison has become of the most hot topics. Ruturaj’s A-list cricket average (58.83) is also better than Kohli’s (57.67). However, it does not imply that he is a superior player to Kohli, who has been doing this at the highest level for over a decade now.
The two share a good bond. While Ruturaj had said that batting along with Kohli was a dream come true. “I had a dream to bat with him [Kohli],” Ruturaj said during a 195-run partnership in an ODI.
They have known each other for a certain amount of time, and they are good friends. Kohli and Ruturaj posted an Instagram story together after India won the first ODI against West Indies in 2026 as a token of their mutual respect.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Wife and Marriage
Marriage of Rutu with his old girlfriend Utkarsha Pawar on 3 June 2023 at a resort in Mahabaleshwar. Utkarsha is also a cricketer. An all-rounder, she plays for Maharashtra and also represented Maharashtra West Zone Under-19 and West Zone Under-23 from 2015 to 2018.
The two were in a relationship for two years before they wed. Ruturaj shared an adorable post on Instagram on their third wedding anniversary: “Found my forever with you.”
Ruturaj Gaikwad is married to a domestic cricketer, thus making this one of the rare cricket couples in India..
Ruturaj Gaikwad Net Worth
The Ruturaj Gaikwad net worth is estimated to be between ₹35 crore and ₹40 crore as of 2026. This includes his IPL salary, brand endorsements, and other sources of income.
| Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| IPL Salary (CSK, 2025) | ₹18 crore |
| Brand Endorsements | Significant |
| Other Sources | Various |
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹35-40 crore |
CSK retained him for ₹18 crore in 2025, which shows how much the franchise values him.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Olympics
Cricket is set to return to the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles. Fans are wondering if Ruturaj Gaikwad Olympics participation is possible. Given his captaincy experience with the Asian Games gold-winning team, he is seen as a strong candidate for India’s squad in 2028.
If selected, it would be another proud moment for him and for Indian cricket.
Common Questions About Ruturaj Gaikwad
Q. What is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s age?
A. He is 29 years old, born on 31 January 1997.
Q. Who is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s wife?
A. Utkarsha Pawar, a domestic cricketer from Maharashtra.
Q. What is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s net worth?
A. Around ₹35-40 crore.
Q. Why is Ruturaj Gaikwad not playing for India?
A. He was dropped after Shreyas Iyer returned from injury, but a comeback is expected in the West Indies ODI series.
Q. Who scored 43 runs in 1 over?
A. Ruturaj Gaikwad himself, in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match.
Q. Who is the best friend of Ruturaj Gaikwad?
A. He shares close friendships with Rajat Patidar, Azim Kazi, and Devon Conway.
Conclusion
A seamless blend of calmness, consistency and captaincy: Ruturaj Gaikwad. That hard work-with-and-patience people has multiple real life experiences, starting with Pune and CSK (and Asian Games) in combos.
He might not be doing it for the Indian team at this moment, but he has been proven to do his bit at the highest level by putting in some impressive performances regularly in domestic cricket and the IPL. However, he is likely to make a robust return in the West Indies ODI series and fans would want him back into the blue jersey at the earliest.
From his cool net style and the form in which he is batting this year to how he is ruling series friendships and family life, Ruturaj Gaikwad remains one of the interesting cricketers in India today.
