In a landmark moment during the IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 18, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad etched his name into the record books.
Gaikwad became only the third player in IPL history to score 1,000 or more runs while captaining CSK, joining legends MS Dhoni (1,547 runs as skipper) and Suresh Raina (1,498 runs).
The milestone came amid a challenging outing for the CSK skipper on a dry Chepauk pitch. Gaikwad, opening the batting after winning the toss and electing to bat first, managed 15 off 21 balls without a boundary before falling to Pat Cummins. His cautious approach reflected the sluggish surface, where SRH's pacers, led by Cummins, who claimed a three-fer
including Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Kartik Sharma, used slower balls and cutters effectively.
CSK posted 180/7 in their 20 overs, with contributions from Sanju Samson (quickfire 27), Dewald Brevis (aggressive 44 off 27), and middle-order stability. SRH's disciplined bowling, featuring Shivang Kumar and Eshan Malinga, kept the pressure on. The match held high stakes for playoff qualification, with both sides desperate for points in the final stretch of the league stage. MS Dhoni was present at the venue for CSK's last home game but did not feature in the XI.
This achievement underscores Gaikwad's consistency since taking over full-time captaincy. Despite a slow start to IPL 2026, he has steadily built his tally across seasons, showcasing composure and leadership. Dhoni and Raina set the benchmark for CSK's batting legacy; Gaikwad's entry into this trio signals a new chapter for the franchise's future core.
