Ruturaj Gaikwad

His breakthrough on the domestic circuit came in the 2016-17 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where only two players scored more runs than him. Observers noticed how he kept risk to a minimum while still maintaining a brisk scoring rate. That approach, built on placement and touch, has served him especially well in List A cricket, where his output has been steadier and quicker than in the first-class game.

Chennai Super Kings brought him into their squad for the 2019 IPL season. He got his first real run of matches in a campaign in which the franchise missed the playoffs for the first time ever. The following year, 2021, was his standout season: he amassed 635 runs, and his aggressive starts at the top of the order were central to Chennai lifting the trophy. The franchise retained him for 6 crores ahead of the 2022 season, and his composed temperament later earned him the leadership. Ahead of the 2024 season he succeeded MS Dhoni as Chennai captain, and the side finished fifth that year.

His 2021 IPL form opened the door to the national team, and he made his T20 international debut on India's tour of Sri Lanka that year. An ODI cap took longer to arrive, eventually coming in a home series against South Africa in 2022. Opportunities at international level have been intermittent in both formats. In T20 cricket, selectors have often favoured heavier hitters for powerplay overs, while in the 50-over game other batters have moved ahead of him in the pecking order.