Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his impressive form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, playing a stellar knock against the Mumbai Indians (MI) that helped him surpass former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate Faf du Plessis in the list of all-time run-scorers for the franchise. Gaikwad's half-century, which came off just 32 balls, was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as he anchored the innings while also accelerating when needed.
Gaikwad's rise in CSK's batting hierarchy
With this innings, Gaikwad moved past du Plessis's tally of 2,934 runs for CSK, now sitting at third place in the franchise's all-time run-scorers list. He now trails only the legendary duo of Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Raina holds the top spot with over 5,000 runs, while Dhoni is second with more than 4,000 runs. Gaikwad's consistent performances over the past few seasons have made him a cornerstone of CSK's batting lineup.
Match performance and key moments
In the match against MI, Gaikwad's innings included six boundaries and two sixes, as he took special liking to the MI bowlers. His partnership with Devon Conway added 89 runs for the first wicket, setting a solid foundation for CSK's total. Despite a late collapse, Gaikwad's knock ensured CSK posted a competitive score. The right-handed opener's ability to rotate strike and find gaps was on full display, earning him praise from fans and experts alike.
Gaikwad's achievement is particularly noteworthy given that du Plessis was a key player for CSK for many years before moving to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Gaikwad has now firmly established himself as one of the premier batsmen in the IPL, and his hunger for runs shows no signs of abating. With the playoffs approaching, CSK will rely heavily on his form to guide them deep into the tournament.
Statistical milestones
- Gaikwad now has 2,967 runs for CSK in the IPL, surpassing du Plessis's 2,934.
- He is third on CSK's all-time run-scorers list behind Raina (5,487) and Dhoni (4,978).
- This was his 22nd half-century in the IPL, highlighting his consistency.
As the IPL 2026 season progresses, all eyes will be on Gaikwad to see if he can continue his rich vein of form and perhaps even challenge the records set by his illustrious predecessors. For now, CSK fans can celebrate another milestone from their batting mainstay.
