Chennai Super Kings retained captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for another season. The opener stays with the IPL team captaining them in 2026. CSK originally signed him for just ₹20 lakh way back in 2019.
His value skyrocketed over seven years showing incredible career growth achieved remarkably. Gaikwad leads one of IPL’s most successful franchises going forward confidently.
IPL Price Journey
CSK took a gamble on Ruturaj Gaikwad for only ₹20 lakh initially. Nobody knew he’d become captain material back then at all. His salary jumped to ₹6 crore during the 2022-2024 period. That reflected his growing importance to the IPL team, which was clearly shown consistently.
The massive leap came in 2025 when CSK paid ₹18 crore. That’s a 900-fold increase from his original price incredibly achieved. The IPL price stayed at ₹18 crore for the retention too. He’s now among the highest-earning players at CSK currently ranking.
His journey from unknown youngster to captain inspires many cricketers nationwide.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Impressive Career Stats with CSK
Ruturaj Gaikwad made his IPL debut in 2020 during the pandemic season. He’s played 71 matches scoring 2,502 runs with a 40.35 average. That batting average ranks among the best for openers nowadays. Two centuries and 20 half-centuries came for the team throughout his IPL career brilliantly.
His highest score reached 108 not out which is an outstanding performance. The 2025 season brought some struggles with just 122 runs unfortunately. His average dropped to 24.40 from five matches which disappointed everyone. However, one poor season doesn’t define great players at all.
Gaikwad also grabbed 39 catches fielding for the franchise consistently. His all-round contributions make him valuable beyond just batting, as shown clearly.
Ruturaj’s rise began in 2021 when he became the first player to win the Orange Cap and the Emerging Player of the Season award in the same year. Since then, he has been the primary run-getter for CSK.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Career IPL Stats
| Category | IPL |
| Matches | 71 |
| Total Runs | 2,502 |
| Batting Average | 40.35 |
| Strike Rate | 137.47 |
| High Score | 108* (vs LSG) |
| Centuries (100s) | 2 |
| Half-Centuries (50s) | 20 |
Records & Achievements
In 2024, he took over the captaincy from the legendary MS Dhoni, proving he could handle the pressure of leadership while maintaining his incredible batting form.
As of early 2026, he remains the fastest Indian player to reach 2,000 IPL runs, achieving the feat in just 57 innings. His ability to anchor the innings and shift gears effortlessly makes him one of the most dangerous batters in the powerplay.
- Orange Cap Winner: Led the scoring charts in 2021 with 635 runs.
- Fastest Indian to 2,000 Runs: Reached the milestone quicker than many modern greats.
- Highest Score by a CSK Captain: His 108* against Lucknow Super Giants is the best by any CSK skipper.
- Most Hundreds in Vijay Hazare: While a domestic record, his 15 centuries often translate into his IPL confidence.
- Consistency King: Has scored 500+ runs in multiple seasons (2021, 2023, and 2024).
Whether he is anchoring a chase or setting a target, Gaikwad’s technical brilliance ensures CSK always has a solid foundation. As he prepares to lead the team into the 2026 season, fans are eager to see if he can bring home another trophy to the Chepauk.
Leading CSK into the 2026 Season
The IPL team gave him captaincy trusting his leadership abilities completely. MS Dhoni’s mentorship helped him grow into this role, which he perfectly executed. Ruturaj Gaikwad leads CSK with calm composure during pressure situations. The cost of ₹18 crore reflects both batting skills and captaincy value.
The next year offers him chances to bounce back after the 2025 struggles. Every captain faces tough periods needing resilience to overcome them. CSK believes he’ll deliver match-winning performances consistently again soon enough.
