Celebrating Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 29th birthday on January 31, 2026. A closer look at the CSK captain’s record-breaking domestic season, his response to national snubs, and why 2026 could define his career

Ruturaj Gaikwad on his 29th birthday, stands tall as one of India’s most reliable run-scorers. At the same time, he has grown into a leader known for calm decision-making. These qualities have often drawn comparisons with MS Dhoni.

After taking over the Chennai Super Kings captaincy from Dhoni in 2024, Gaikwad stepped into a role heavy with expectations. However, he handled the transition with composure. Despite missing a large part of 2025 due to injury, he is set to continue as captain in 2026. Importantly, his leadership has not come at the cost of his batting. He has continued to score runs at an exceptional rate.

Rise of “Rocket Raja”

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s journey is built on patience. He began playing first-class cricket for Maharashtra in 2016. Since then, he has stayed true to a batting style rooted in timing and technique. In an era dominated by power-hitting, this approach stood out.

At Chennai Super Kings, Gaikwad proved that classical batting still works in modern cricket. More importantly, he showed that elegance and effectiveness can coexist. As a result, his style became a strength rather than a limitation.

When he took charge from MS Dhoni in 2024, Gaikwad did not just inherit a team. Instead, he inherited a legacy. Since then, he has emerged as the new face of the Yellow Army. Like Dhoni, he leads quietly. Unlike many captains, he also leads consistently with the bat.

Also read: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Full Schedule, Host Venues, Groups, Teams and Key Updates

Records that silence the critics

What makes the “underrated” tag puzzling is the weight of Gaikwad’s numbers. He has not chased attention. Instead, he has let his performances speak.

• The List A king: He recently became the fastest player in the world to score 20 List A centuries. He achieved the mark in just 95 innings, faster than Virat Kohli and Babar Azam.
• IPL royalty: In 2021, he became the first player to win both the Orange Cap and the Emerging Player award in the same season. Moreover, he is the fastest Indian to reach 2,000 IPL runs, doing so in only 57 innings.
• International trailblazer: In November 2023, he became the first Indian to score a T20I century against Australia. His unbeaten 123 settled doubts about his ability to accelerate at the highest level.
• Six-hitting history: During a domestic match against Uttar Pradesh in 2022, he hit seven consecutive sixes in a single over. That over alone produced 43 runs, a rare feat in white-ball cricket.

Turning rejection into runs

Despite strong performances, national recognition has not always followed. In December 2025, Gaikwad scored his maiden ODI century against South Africa. He made 105 off 83 balls in the second ODI at Raipur.

However, just weeks later, selectors left him out of India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series in January 2026. The omission surprised many.

Former players reacted strongly. Ravichandran Ashwin urged Gaikwad to stay patient and keep performing. Meanwhile, Kris Srikkanth criticised the selectors and called the decision short-sighted.

Gaikwad, meanwhile, responded in the only way he knows. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he has averaged close to 69.50. He has also shown ease in switching between red-ball discipline and white-ball aggression. As a result, his case for selection has only grown stronger.

Why he is CSK’s biggest weapon

Analysts often describe Gaikwad’s batting as graceful. His high elbow, balance, and footwork stand out. However, the elegance hides a sharp cricketing mind. His power game relies on timing, not brute force.

Coaches often point out that he rarely hits blindly. Instead, he waits for the right ball. This control comes from years of technical work, especially during his time at the Vengsarkar Academy. Because of this base, he handles both fast bowling and quality spin with ease.

Whether driving on the up or hitting straight down the ground, his technique holds firm under pressure. That makes him effective across formats.

At 29, Gaikwad is entering his prime. With the IPL beginning in March and a T20 World Cup on the horizon, the spotlight is firmly on him. Consequently, the pressure on selectors is increasing.

He is no longer just a strong domestic performer. He is a captain, a record-holder, and a proven match-winner. As he marks another birthday, the aim is clear. He wants to move from being India’s best domestic batter to a permanent fixture in the national top order.