Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad has become Chennai Super Kings’ batting cornerstone across six IPL seasons, stacking up 2,502 runs from 1,820 balls at a brisk strike-rate of 137. In 70 innings he has hammered 231 fours and 95 towering sixes, turning every 7.9 balls into a boundary. Twenty half-centuries and two scintillating hundreds—capped by a personal-best 108—underline his consistency and match-winning appetite. Completely a batting specialist, Gaikwad has bowled zero balls and claimed zero wickets, letting his blade do all the talking. Loyal to the yellow jersey since 2020, the Maharashtra right-hander keeps raising the bar for modern T20 openers.

Ajinkya Rahane IPL journey spans 17 seasons, 183 innings and a mountain of 5,032 runs that have come off 4,025 balls at a brisk strike-rate of 125. The Mumbai-born right-hander has punished bowlers for 514 fours and 123 sixes, crossing fifty 33 times and reaching three figures on two memorable occasions, the highest being an unbeaten 105. After stints with Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings, he is back with Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2025. While Rahane has rolled his arm over only once in the league, picking up a solitary wicket in a six-ball cameo that cost five runs, he remains celebrated as one of the league’s most technically sound and consistent top-order batsmen.

Note: This overview is partially generated using AI and is based on statistical data. Please verify with official sources for complete accuracy.