Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as a number one contender for the Orange Cap in IPL 2026. The younger left-hander has been in sensational kind, and his latest performances have solely strengthened his case as one of many standout batters this season.
“I will even put Shubman Gill in the identical line” R Ashwin
Ashwin, talking on his YouTube channel, didn’t maintain again in praising Jaiswal’s consistency and aggressive method. The opener has already scored 170 runs in simply three innings, sustaining a strike charge of over 163 and remaining unbeaten twice – numbers that spotlight each his reliability and attacking intent.
“Yashasvi Jaiswal is a robust contender to win the Orange Cap with strike charge this time,” Ashwin stated. “I will even put Shubman Gill in the identical line, however he has clearly missed one recreation, so Yashasvi Jaiswal has a barely higher probability.” He added that “Jaiswal has a greater probability” to win the Orange Cap than Gill.
Ashwin additionally identified that Jaiswal is presently main the run charts, which supplies him an early benefit within the race. In a event the place momentum usually performs an enormous function, getting off to such a robust begin could make a big distinction.
Jaiswal’s latest performance against Mumbai Indians (MI) was an ideal instance of his present kind. In a rain-shortened match in Guwahati, he performed a shocking unbeaten knock of 77 runs off simply 32 balls. Proper from the start, he appeared in full management, attacking the bowlers and placing stress on the opposition.
His innings included 10 fours and 4 sixes, and he wasted no time in setting the tone. Throughout the powerplay alone, he scored 58 runs in simply over three overs, successfully taking the sport away from MI early on. That aggressive begin performed a key function in RR securing a snug 27-run victory.
Ashwin’s prediction didn’t come out of nowhere. Even earlier than the event started, he had been intently monitoring gamers who may dominate the season. Earlier, he had named Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill as one in all his picks for the Orange Cap, highlighting his starvation for runs.
“Figuring out Shubman and having seen him from shut quarters, he likes batting quite a bit. And making runs is a passion for him,” Ashwin had stated. Nevertheless, he additionally cautioned Gill towards focusing an excessive amount of on strike charge, suggesting that it may have an effect on his general efficiency and the workforce’s steadiness.
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Ashwin’s alternative earlier than the beginning of IPL 2026
Apparently, Ashwin had additionally backed Delhi Capitals (DC) batter KL Rahul as one other sturdy contender earlier than the season began. He even advised that Rahul needs to be used as an opener to maximise his influence.
“Make certain he opens this season. He may have the Orange Cap if he does,” Ashwin stated, recalling Rahul’s previous performances and questioning why he hadn’t been constantly used on the high of the order.
Regardless of these earlier predictions, it’s Jaiswal who has surged forward within the early levels of IPL 2026. With the Royals profitable all three of their matches to this point, the workforce’s sturdy place on the factors desk has additional boosted his possibilities.
At this level within the event, Jaiswal seems to be just like the batter to beat. His mixture of consistency, aggressive scoring, and skill to remain unbeaten has set him aside from the remaining. If he continues on this kind, Ashwin’s prediction may very effectively flip into actuality because the season progresses.
Additionally READ: IPL 2026 – Ravichandran Ashwin pokes fun at Cheteshwar Pujara over missed salute to Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s explosive knock in RR vs MI clash
