Ruturaj Gaikwad becomes fastest Indian to 2,000 IPL runs: Stats
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has scripted history as he has become the fastest Indian to complete 2,000 Indian Premier League (IPL) runs. The star batter accomplished the milestone with his 48th run against Mumbai Indians in Match 29 of IPL 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium. Gaikwad is overall the third-fastest to get the mark. Meanwhile, Gaikwad ended up scoring a 40-ball 69.
Gaikwad displaces KL Rahul
Gaikwad, who made his IPL debut in 2020, took 57 innings of 58 games to touch the 2,000-run landmark. He displaced KL Rahul (60 innings) as the fastest Indian to get the feat. On the overall list, Gaikwad is only behind West Indies' Chris Gayle and Australia's Shaun Marsh, who took 48 and 52 innings, respectively, to touch the mark.
Sixth CSK batter to get this feat
All of Gaikwad's IPL runs have come in CSK colors. As per ESPNcricinfo, he became the sixth batter to complete 2,000 (now 2,021) runs for the franchise. He joined Suresh Raina (5,529), MS Dhoni (4,996), Faf du Plessis (2,932), Michael Hussey (2,213), and Murali Vijay (2,205). Gaikwad's average and strike rate are 39.63 and 134.91 respectively. The tally includes 16 fifties besides a ton.
A look at Gaikwad's IPL milestones
Gaikwad clinched the Orange Cap in IPL 2021 for scoring 635 runs. 2023 was another season that saw him compile over 500 runs (590). Gaikwad has the joint-highest number of 50-plus scores by a CSK opener in the IPL (16). He shares the pinnacle position with du Plessis. 1,947 of Gaikwad's runs for CSK have come as an opener.
A captain's knock from Gaikwad
Gaikwad, who is CSK's designated opener, arrived at number three following Ajinkya Rahane's departure. He added 52 runs with Rachin Ravindra as CSK recovered from the early blow. Gaikwad then found another potent partner with Shivam Dube as the duo recorded a fiery 90-run stand. Gaikwad, who smoked seven fours and as many maximums, eventually fell to Hardik Pandya.
Second successive fifty in IPL 2024
This was Gaikwad's second successive fifty this season as he made an unbeaten 67 in his preceding outing against KKR. He has now raced to 224 runs across six games this year at 44.80. Against MI, he has now completed 238 runs in eight games at 39.66. This was his second fifty against the opposition.
