Ruturaj Gaikwad Birthday : Celebrating His Record-Breaking Cricket Journey
Ruturaj Gaikwad: A Rising Star in Indian Cricket
Ruturaj Gaikwad, born on January 31, 1997, is a key figure in Indian cricket. Gaikwad has made remarkable contributions to cricket. He led Maharashtra in domestic cricket and captained CSK in the IPL. His consistency, leadership, and poise under pressure have earned him praise worldwide.
Early Life and Cricketing Roots
Gaikwad hails from Pune, Maharashtra, and was introduced to cricket at a young age. His father, Dasharath Gaikwad, worked for the DRDO. His mother, Sawita, was a school teacher. Despite their academic backgrounds, his parents supported his cricketing aspirations wholeheartedly.
He honed his skills at Varroc Dilip Vengsarkar Academy in Pune. He made headlines in the 2010 Cadence Trophy, scoring an unbeaten 63 off 71 balls. In 2015, he had a breakthrough moment. He scored 306 runs in a match, sharing a 522-run partnership with teammate Vinay.
Domestic Career: Dominating Indian Cricket
Early Domestic Success
Gaikwad debuted for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy on October 6, 2016. He then made his List A debut in the 2016–17 Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the 2019 Ranji Trophy, he shone. He scored 108 and 76 in a match against Chhattisgarh.
Record-Breaking Vijay Hazare Trophy
- 2021–22: Scored four centuries, equaling Virat Kohli’s record.
- 2022–23: Became the first batter to hit seven sixes in an over. Also, set the record for most centuries (12) in Vijay Hazare history.
Leading Maharashtra in T20s
As Maharashtra’s captain in the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Gaikwad scored 259 runs in five matches. His strike rate was 150.71. He led in the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL), where he was signed for ₹14.8 crore.
Quick Stats at a Glance:
| Category | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Born | January 31, 1997 |
| Teams Played For | Maharashtra, CSK, India |
| IPL Titles | 1 (2021) |
| International Debut | T20I (2021) vs. Sri Lanka |
| Vijay Hazare Record | Most centuries (12) |
| IPL Orange Cap | 2021 (635 runs) |
| Highest T20I Score | 123 (vs Australia) |
International Career: Making an Impact
T20I and ODI Debut
Gaikwad made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka on July 28, 2021. His ODI debut was against South Africa on October 6, 2022. In 2022, he scored his maiden T20I fifty against South Africa. In 2023, he made his first ODI half-century, 71 runs, against Australia.
Gold Medal at Asian Games
In 2023, Gaikwad captained India’s T20 team to gold at the Asian Games. He is the first Indian captain to achieve this feat in men’s cricket.
Record-Breaking T20I Century Against Australia
Strong Performances in Zimbabwe
In June 2024, Gaikwad starred in India’s T20I series vs. Zimbabwe. He scored 77 (49)* and 49 (28) in consecutive matches. Despite his strong form, he was not selected for the Sri Lanka tour in July 2024.
IPL Career: From Rising Star to CSK Captain
Breakout IPL Season (2021)
- 635 runs in 16 matches (Orange Cap winner)
- Scored his first IPL century (101)* against Rajasthan Royals
- Led CSK to their fourth IPL title and won the Emerging Player award
Chennai Super Kings Captaincy
In March 2024, MS Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain, passing the leadership to Gaikwad. This made him only the fourth captain in CSK history, a significant moment for the franchise.
Youngstar from Maharashtra ➡️ Superstar of Chennai 💥🦁#UngalRutu #WhistlePodu @Ruutu1331 pic.twitter.com/8WagK1gVwT
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 31, 2025
Happy Birthday, Ruturaj Gaikwad! 🎉🏏
