Maharashtra’s Sayed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has not been able to perform in SMAT 2024 edition. He hasn’t been at his best with the bat in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 20 runs in two innings with an impressive strike rate of 153.85. Despite his limited batting contributions, he continues to lead the Maharashtra side and will take charge of CSK in the upcoming IPL season.

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Gaikwad was one of the five players that were retained by the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings other than Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni. He was retained for an amount of 18 crores. He continues to lead Maharashtra in SMAT and will lead Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 edition as well. Maharashtra has won only one match out of the three matches played and Ruturaj Gaikwad was not playing that particular match. Although he was the highest run-scorer for Maharashtra in the league stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2018-19. The Chennai Super Ki9ngs has claimed the IPL title five times in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 and Gaikwad has led the team to victory in 2023. Thus he has somewhat proven his competence as a captain. In the 2021 edition of the IPL, Gaikwad appeared in 16 matches and scored 635 runs with the highest score of 101*. He was thus retained by the CSK ahead of the 2022 edition of the league for 6 crore. 

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At the IPL 2019 Player Auction, the Chennai Super Kings secured his services at his base price of 20 lacs. His journey from 20 lakhs to 18 crores has been a reason for fans to look out for. He has been their most consistent opener and will look to do the same come April and May edition of the IPL.