Ruturaj Gaikwad Focuses on Present Amid World Cup Aspirations

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai Super Kings, is prioritizing his current performance over future ambitions, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. At a recent event in Coimbatore, he expressed the importance of focusing on the present and enjoying the game. With a solid track record in ODIs and T20Is, Gaikwad reflects on his recent performances and the various tournaments ahead, including the IPL and domestic competitions. His approach emphasizes a day-by-day mindset, which he believes is crucial for success in cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 1, 2026, 23:57 IST

Ruturaj Gaikwad's Mindset Ahead of Future Tournaments

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 1: Indian cricketer Ruturaj Gaikwad is not preoccupied with his return to the national team for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and concentrating on his current performance.

Speaking at an event in Coimbatore, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, who has played nine ODIs and 23 T20Is for India, shared his thoughts on the upcoming World Cup. He remarked, “That’s too far off. I’m focused on today. The World Cup is next year, and like any normal person, I believe in taking it one day at a time. There are numerous tournaments throughout the year.”

He continued, “With events like the Ranji Trophy, domestic leagues, international matches, and the IPL, it would be overwhelming to think about everything at once. My goal is to stay present, follow my process, and enjoy the time I have on the field.”

Ruturaj last represented India during the home series against South Africa in December, where he achieved his first ODI century. In his nine ODIs, he has accumulated 228 runs with an average of 28.50 and a strike rate nearing 90, including a century and a half-century.

In his T20I career, he has scored 633 runs in 23 matches, averaging 39.56 with a strike rate of 143.53, featuring one century and four fifties.

His performance in IPL 2026 was less than stellar, as he managed 337 runs in 14 innings, averaging 28.08 with a strike rate of 123.44, including two fifties and a top score of 74 not out.

Recently, he participated in the Duleep Trophy, where he scored 5 and 66 runs for West Zone in their quarterfinal loss to North Zone. Prior to that, he had a subdued outing on the Sri Lanka red-ball tour with India A, scoring 13, 22*, and 1 in two first-class matches. In a white-ball tri-nation series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan in June, he was the third-highest run-scorer, amassing 274 runs in five innings, which included a century and a fifty.