Ruturaj Gaikwad Biography: Age, Wife Utkarsha Pawar, Family, CSK Captaincy, Records, Centuries & Latest News
Last updated: 13 November 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad is an Indian cricketer from Pune, Maharashtra, a right-handed top-order batter who captains Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and plays ODIs for India. He won the IPL Orange Cap in 2021, led India to Asian Games gold, hit seven sixes in an over in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and has centuries for India in both T20Is and ODIs. This Ruturaj Gaikwad biography covers his age, family, wife, career, records, CSK captaincy and the latest news.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Key Facts
- Born: 31 January 1997, Pune, Maharashtra
- Role: Right-handed top-order batter; captain of Maharashtra and Chennai Super Kings
- India debuts: T20I v Sri Lanka (July 2021), ODI v South Africa (October 2022)
- International centuries: 123* v Australia (T20I, 2023); 105 v South Africa (ODI, 2025)
- Titles: IPL 2021 and 2023 with CSK; Asian Games gold as India captain
- Records: Seven sixes in one over (2022); most centuries in Vijay Hazare Trophy history
- Wife: Utkarsha Pawar (married 3 June 2023)
- Nicknames: Rutu, Rocket Raja
Ruturaj Gaikwad Latest News
- In India’s XI v New Zealand (13 November 2026): Ruturaj was one of three changes for the fourth ODI at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, under stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer, with India leading the five-match series 2–0. The final ODI is at the same ground on 15 November.
- Picked for the New Zealand tour (October 2026): He earned a place in India’s squad for the five-match ODI series in New Zealand after a solid home series against the West Indies, in which he batted at No. 4 and made 13 not out, 31 not out and 57 off 69 balls in New Chandigarh.
- Tough IPL 2026 (May 2026): Ruturaj captained CSK for the full season but struggled for rhythm, scoring a little over 300 runs. CSK finished with six wins and eight defeats and missed the playoffs, though head coach Stephen Fleming publicly backed him as the franchise’s long-term captain.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Biography, Age and Wiki
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ruturaj Dasharath Gaikwad |
| Nicknames | Rutu, Rocket Raja |
| Profession | Cricketer (batter) |
| Date of Birth | 31 January 1997 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 29 years |
| Birthplace | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Hometown | Sangvi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | Indian |
| School | St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Khadki |
| Academy | Varroc Dilip Vengsarkar Academy, Thergaon |
| Family | |
| Father | Dasharath Gaikwad (worked with DRDO) |
| Mother | Sawita Gaikwad (school teacher) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Utkarsha Pawar (m. 3 June 2023) |
| Cricket | |
| Batting / Bowling | Right-handed / Right-arm off-break |
| T20I Debut | 28 July 2021 v Sri Lanka |
| ODI Debut | 6 October 2022 v South Africa |
| Domestic Team | Maharashtra (captain) |
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings (since 2019; captain since 2024) |
| Shirt Number | 31 |
Ruturaj Gaikwad Early Life and Family
Ruturaj Gaikwad was born on 31 January 1997 in Pune into a Marathi family. His father, Dasharath Gaikwad, worked with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and his mother, Sawita, is a school teacher. Both encouraged him to play cricket. He studied at St Joseph’s Boys’ High School in Khadki and joined the Varroc Dilip Vengsarkar Academy in Thergaon at the age of 13. He still lives in Sangvi, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Career
Maharashtra and Domestic Records
Ruturaj first stood out as captain of Maharashtra’s under-19 side, scoring 875 runs with four centuries in the 2015–16 Cooch Behar Trophy. He made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy in October 2016 and his List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2017, and he now captains Maharashtra in white-ball cricket. In the 2022 Vijay Hazare quarter-final against Uttar Pradesh he hit seven sixes in a single over (including a no-ball) on his way to 220 not out, the first time any batter had done it in a recognised match. In the 2022 final he scored his 12th Vijay Hazare century, a tournament record.
Chennai Super Kings and the Orange Cap
Chennai Super Kings signed him in December 2018, and he made his IPL debut in 2020. In 2021 he scored his first IPL century, 101 not out against Rajasthan Royals, and finished the season as the leading run-scorer with 635 runs, winning the Orange Cap and the Emerging Player award as CSK won the title. CSK retained him for ₹6 crore before the 2022 auction, and he scored 590 runs in 2023 as the team won a fifth title.
CSK Captain (2024–2026)
On 21 March 2024 MS Dhoni handed the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj. He scored 583 runs in his first season as captain, the second-highest total in the league, though CSK narrowly missed the playoffs. He played only five matches in 2025 before an elbow injury ended his season, and Dhoni led the side again. CSK confirmed him as captain for 2026 even after signing Sanju Samson, but it was a difficult year: he scored a little over 300 runs and CSK finished with six wins from 14 games.
India Career
Ruturaj made his T20I debut against Sri Lanka in July 2021 and his ODI debut against South Africa in October 2022. He captained India to the gold medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, becoming the first Indian captain to win gold in the event. In November 2023 in Guwahati he hit 123 not out against Australia, the first T20I century by an Indian against Australia.
After a long gap, he returned to India’s ODI side against South Africa in late 2025 and scored his maiden ODI century, 105 at No. 4 in Raipur, in the same match in which Virat Kohli also scored a hundred. He missed the January 2026 home series against New Zealand but returned for the home ODIs against the West Indies in September–October 2026, and was then picked for the November tour of New Zealand, where he played alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Records and Achievements
- First batter to hit seven sixes in one over in a recognised match (Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2022)
- Most centuries in Vijay Hazare Trophy history (12th century in the 2022 final)
- IPL Orange Cap and Emerging Player of the Season, 2021
- IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings in 2021 and 2023
- First Indian captain to win gold in men’s cricket at the Asian Games
- First Indian to score a T20I century against Australia (123*, 2023)
- Fastest List A century for Maharashtra (57 balls v Services, 2024)
Ruturaj Gaikwad Wife and Family
Ruturaj married his long-time girlfriend Utkarsha Pawar, who has played cricket for Maharashtra, at Mahabaleshwar on 3 June 2023, days after CSK won the IPL title. He keeps his family life largely private. Away from cricket he enjoys golf.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Net Worth
Ruturaj Gaikwad has not disclosed his net worth, and there is no official figure. He earns from his IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings, BCCI match fees and brand endorsements. Figures on celebrity-wealth websites are estimates and should be treated with caution.
Lesser-Known Facts About Ruturaj Gaikwad
- His fans call him “Rocket Raja”, and teammates call him Rutu.
- He plays in the Maharashtra Premier League for Puneri Bappa.
- He batted at No. 4 for India in his recent ODIs even though he opens for CSK.
- He took over the CSK captaincy from MS Dhoni, one of the most successful IPL captains.
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FAQs About Ruturaj Gaikwad
How old is Ruturaj Gaikwad?
Ruturaj Gaikwad was born on 31 January 1997 in Pune, Maharashtra, so he is 29 and turns 30 on 31 January 2027.
Who is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s wife?
Ruturaj Gaikwad is married to Utkarsha Pawar, his long-time girlfriend. They married at Mahabaleshwar on 3 June 2023.
Is Ruturaj Gaikwad the captain of CSK?
Yes. Ruturaj Gaikwad took over as Chennai Super Kings captain from MS Dhoni in March 2024 and led the team in 2024, 2025 (until an injury) and 2026.
When did Ruturaj Gaikwad win the Orange Cap?
Ruturaj Gaikwad won the IPL Orange Cap in 2021 with 635 runs, the season Chennai Super Kings won the title.
Who hit seven sixes in an over in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Ruturaj Gaikwad hit seven sixes in one over, including a no-ball, against Uttar Pradesh in the 2022 Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final on his way to 220 not out.
Has Ruturaj Gaikwad scored an ODI century?
Yes. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored his maiden ODI century, 105, against South Africa in Raipur in December 2025.
What is Ruturaj Gaikwad’s highest T20I score?
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s highest T20I score is 123 not out against Australia in Guwahati in November 2023, the first T20I century by an Indian against Australia.
Did Ruturaj Gaikwad captain India?
Yes. Ruturaj Gaikwad captained India to the gold medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023.
Who are Ruturaj Gaikwad’s parents?
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s father, Dasharath Gaikwad, worked with the DRDO, and his mother, Sawita Gaikwad, is a school teacher.
Is Ruturaj Gaikwad playing in the New Zealand series?
Yes. Ruturaj Gaikwad is in India’s squad for the five-match ODI series in New Zealand in November 2026 and played in the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui on 13 November.
About This Biography
Written by: MyStarsBio Editorial Team. This profile was checked against the sources listed below. It covers Ruturaj Gaikwad’s cricket career and the personal news he has shared publicly.