Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan shared insights on the franchise signing Ruturaj Gaikwad during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 auction. Kasi Viswanathan credited CSK’s scouting team, led by Sharath and Sunil Oasis, for identifying Ruturaj Gaikwad as a future star for the team.
Chennai Super Kings signed Ruturaj Gaikwad for his base price of ₹20 lakh in the 2019 IPL auction. However, the batter made his debut in 2020, scoring 204 runs in six matches. Gaikwad came into the limelight in the IPL 2021 after winning the Orange Cap and playing a crucial role in CSK’s fourth title victory.
We Thought We Will Go in for Ruturaj Gaikwad in the Auction – Kasi Viswanathan
In a recently released documentary, Kasi Viswanathan shared how the franchise identified Gaikwad as a future star. He said the CSK scouting team closely watched domestic cricket and recommended Gaikwad.
“Our scouting team consisting of Sharath and Sunil Oasis, all of them were watching domestic cricket. The feedback we got from mostly Sharath was that here is one player who is going to be the future. And if you are looking at a future player for CSK, you should look at Ruturaj. So that is how we thought we will go in for Rutu in the auction and we got him at base price (₹20 lakh),” Viswanathan said.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Finished as Chennai Super Kings’ Leading Run-Scorer in IPL 2024
The Maharashtra batter opened the innings in his IPL debut in 2020 and scored three consecutive half-centuries. However, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) failed to make the playoffs for the first time in their history.
Ahead of IPL 2024, MS Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Gaikwad. CSK finished fifth in the points table in his first season as skipper, narrowly missing a playoff spot to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on net run rate.
Gaikwad was the franchise’s leading run-scorer last season. The right-handed batter amassed 583 runs in 14 innings at an average of 53, including four half-centuries and one century. He was the second-highest run-getter in the tournament behind Virat Kohli, who scored 741 runs in 15 games.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Continues to Lead the Super Kings in IPL 2025
Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue to lead the Super Kings in the IPL 2025 after taking over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in the previous season. Gaikwad was retained for ₹18 crore, while Dhoni was retained under the ‘uncapped player’ category for ₹4 crore.
Gaikwad has been a key performer for CSK, amassing 2380 runs in 66 IPL matches at an average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 136.86. He has smashed two centuries and 18 fifties.
CSK will kick off their campaign with a marquee clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23 at the Chepauk Stadium. They will also face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at their home ground on March 28.
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