Ruturaj Gaikwad: Could He Become India’s Next Virat Kohli at No. 3?
For over a decade, India’s No. 3 position has been synonymous with one name: Virat Kohli. Across formats, that slot has represented reliability, hunger, and match-winning prowess. Kohli’s mastery at No. 3 allowed him to anchor innings, accelerate when required, and guide India through countless victories. As Kohli gradually steps away from international cricket’s frontline, the question arises: who can fill this pivotal position in India’s batting order? Enter Ruturaj Gaikwad, the young right-handed batter from Pune who is quietly staking his claim.
Ruturaj’s recent ODI century against South Africa, scored on the same day as Kohli’s own hundred, has sparked comparisons. Could this be the start of a new era? Is Gaikwad the next pillar at No. 3 for India? To understand the possibilities, we need a deep dive into his journey, skillset, temperament, and potential.
From Pune to the International Stage: The Rise of Ruturaj Gaikwad
Born on 31 January 1997 in Pune, Maharashtra, Ruturaj Gaikwad grew up in a modest family without cricketing connections. His early years involved long hours at the nets, participation in age-group cricket, and consistent performances in Maharashtra’s U-14, U-16, and U-19 teams. This foundational period shaped his discipline and technique, traits that later became evident in domestic and IPL cricket.
Gaikwad made his mark in Ranji Trophy matches, showcasing the ability to play long innings, rotate strike, and score under pressure. He then progressed to India A matches, gaining experience against international-standard bowling attacks. His IPL breakthrough came with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he quickly became a dependable opener and later captained the team. Under Dhoni’s mentorship, Gaikwad honed his shot selection, temperament, and leadership qualities, all critical for a top-order batter tasked with anchoring innings.
Mastering the Bat: Technique, Temperament, and Run-Making
One of the primary reasons Gaikwad is being compared to Kohli is his technique. Unlike many modern players who rely on power hitting alone, Gaikwad’s batting is based on timing, balance, and placement. His stance is compact, head over the ball, and shots are guided through gaps rather than swung recklessly. He excels with the cover drive, square drive, and flicks — reminiscent of Kohli’s textbook approach.
His temperament further strengthens the comparison. Ruturaj remains composed under pressure, whether anchoring in a tense IPL final or facing a high-quality international bowling attack. He has demonstrated patience, an ability to read the game situation, and the mental fortitude to play both long innings and quick accelerations.
Gaikwad’s domestic and IPL statistics reflect this skillset. In Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy matches, he has multiple centuries, showing the ability to bat for extended periods. In the IPL, he has been among CSK’s top scorers for consecutive seasons, winning accolades for consistency and match-winning contributions. His strike rotation, judgment of the bowler’s length, and finishing skills mark him as a modern, versatile top-order batter.
Internationally, his breakthrough came in the 2024–2025 series against South Africa. He scored a 77-ball ODI century at Raipur, partnering with Kohli for a 195-run stand, a record for India’s third wicket against South Africa. This innings was not only technically excellent but also showcased composure and aggression under pressure, key qualities for a No. 3.
The Kohli Comparison: Similarities and Distinctions
While comparisons are inevitable, it’s essential to understand what makes Gaikwad reminiscent of Kohli.
Shared Traits:
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Technical Soundness: Both rely on timing and placement, with excellent wrist work and minimal reliance on brute force.
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Innings Building: Like Kohli, Gaikwad has the ability to anchor an innings and accelerate at the right moment.
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Fitness and Discipline: Both emphasize peak fitness and rigorous preparation.
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Temperament: Calm under pressure, yet capable of playing match-defining shots in crunch situations.
Key Distinctions:
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Sample Size: Kohli’s 13+ years at No. 3 with hundreds of innings is unparalleled. Gaikwad has fewer international innings, making long-term evaluation ongoing.
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Overseas Mastery: Kohli has scored consistently in varied conditions globally; Gaikwad has shown promise domestically and in the IPL, but his performance abroad remains to be fully tested.
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Aggression & Conversion: Kohli has an extraordinary conversion rate from 50s to hundreds. Gaikwad has the skillset but needs more opportunities to build comparable statistics.
The comparison is not about cloning Kohli but identifying analogous traits and potential. Gaikwad demonstrates the technical base, temperament, and approach that could make him a mainstay at No. 3 in the coming years.
Why Others Have Struggled at No. 3
The No. 3 position in cricket is uniquely challenging. Batters entering here must balance the dual role of consolidating after an early loss and accelerating in middle or late overs. Many promising players post-Kohli have struggled:
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Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and others have excelled in bursts but lacked consistency across formats.
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Frequent changes in batting order disrupted rhythm.
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Inadequate conversion from starts to big hundreds.
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Difficulties overseas against pace, swing, and bounce.
Gaikwad’s combination of classical technique, IPL experience, domestic consistency, and now an international century positions him ahead of most recent contenders in fulfilling the No. 3 role.
The Challenge of No. 3 Across Formats
No. 3 is a hybrid role demanding adaptability:
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T20: Immediate adaptation, rotating strike and accelerating under limited balls.
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ODIs: Bridge opening overs and middle overs, pace the innings, and finish strongly.
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Tests: Endurance, concentration, patience, and mastery over challenging bowling attacks.
Kohli’s 13-year tenure demonstrates that only an extraordinary combination of skill, temperament, fitness, and mental resilience can succeed at No. 3 consistently. Gaikwad’s current trajectory — technical skills, tactical awareness, and composure under pressure — shows that he could rise to meet this demanding standard.
Recent Evidence: Raipur ODI Century vs South Africa
The Raipur match was a watershed moment for Gaikwad. Walking in with India in trouble, he scored a 77- ball century, striking boundaries intelligently and rotating strike seamlessly. His innings included a record-breaking partnership with Kohli for the third wicket. This match proved several things:
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Gaikwad can deliver under pressure at the international stage.
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His innings-building ability mirrors traits Kohli has exemplified.
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The combination of patience, timing, and acceleration suggests a player capable of adapting to all formats.
The Road Ahead: How Ruturaj Can Cement His No. 3 Position
For Gaikwad to truly step into the No. 3 role, he must focus on:
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Role Clarity: Consistent batting position in Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
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Conversion: Transform 30s and 50s into big hundreds consistently.
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Overseas Adaptation: Performance in challenging conditions abroad.
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Fitness & Injury Management: Maintain peak physical condition for longevity.
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Mental Strength: Manage expectations and comparison with Kohli.
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Leadership & Game Awareness: Continue learning from IPL captaincy and mentorship under senior players.
With this roadmap, Gaikwad can translate potential into long-term success.
A New Era at No. 3?
While no one can replicate Virat Kohli entirely, Ruturaj Gaikwad represents a credible successor for India’s No. 3 position. His technique, temperament, IPL experience, domestic record, and recent international performances indicate readiness. The Raipur ODI century against South Africa, alongside Kohli’s own hundred, symbolically marks a transition in India’s top-order batting.
If nurtured with patience, given consistent opportunities, and tested across formats and conditions, Ruturaj could become India’s next long-term anchor at No. 3. This is not about replacing Kohli; it is about ensuring that the backbone of India’s batting continues, promising another decade of stability and match-winning performances.
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