Ruturaj Gaikwad, the young Chennai Super Kings captain, has etched his name in IPL history. During his knock against the Mumbai Indians in Match 29 of IPL 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium, Gaikwad reached the coveted milestone of 2,000 IPL runs with his 48th run. This feat not only cements his place as the fastest Indian batsman to achieve this landmark but also elevates him to the top of the CSK’s all-time run scorers list.
A Stellar Achievement: Gaikwad Surpasses KL Rahul
Gaikwad, who debuted in the IPL in 2020, has reached the 2,000-run mark in just 57 innings across 58 matches. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by KL Rahul, who took 60 innings to reach the same milestone. Remarkably, Gaikwad finds himself in elite company overall, trailing only the legendary Chris Gayle of West Indies (48 innings) and Australia‘s Shaun Marsh (52 innings) for the fastest to achieve 2,000 IPL runs.
Having played exclusively for the Chennai Super Kings throughout his IPL career, Gaikwad has become the sixth batsman to reach the 2,000-run mark for the franchise. He joins illustrious names like Suresh Raina (5,529 runs), MS Dhoni (4,996 runs), Faf du Plessis (2,932 runs), Michael Hussey (2,213 runs), and Murali Vijay (2,205 runs) on this prestigious list. Currently boasting an impressive average of 39.63 and a strike rate of 134.91, Gaikwad has amassed these runs with a consistent display of power hitting, as evidenced by his 16 fifties and a solitary century.
Orange Cap Winner and Consistent Performer
Gaikwad’s talent has shone brightly in previous seasons as well. He secured the coveted Orange Cap in IPL 2021 for his phenomenal score of 635 runs. The following year, 2023, also saw him exceed the 500-run mark, compiling an impressive 590 runs. He shares the joint-highest number of 50-plus scores by a CSK opener in the IPL (16) alongside Faf du Plessis, highlighting his consistent opening partnership contributions. Remarkably, 1,947 of Gaikwad’s runs for CSK have come while batting at the top of the order.
Despite the early loss of Rahane, Gaikwad steadied the ship with a 52-run partnership alongside Rachin Ravindra. He then found another formidable partner in Shivam Dube, forging a fiery 90-run stand that propelled CSK’s score forward. Gaikwad’s knock of 40-ball 69, studded with seven fours and seven sixes, eventually came to an end courtesy of Hardik Pandya’s bowling.
Building on Success: Gaikwad’s Consistent Form
This fifty against MI marks Gaikwad’s second consecutive fifty-plus score this season. In his previous outing against KKR, he remained unbeaten at 67. With a current tally of 224 runs across six IPL 2024 matches at an average of 44.80, Gaikwad is proving himself to be a vital cog in the CSK batting lineup.
His consistent performance against MI adds to his impressive record against them, with 238 runs scored in eight matches at an average of 39.66. This fifty also marks his second against the Mumbai Indians franchise.
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