“He is a strong contender”: Ravichandran Ashwin predicts the Orange Cap winner of IPL 2026

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Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as a leading contender for the Orange Cap in IPL 2026. The young left-hander has been in sensational form, and his recent performances have only strengthened his case as one of the standout batters this season.

Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, did not hold back in praising Jaiswal’s consistency and aggressive approach. The opener has already scored 170 runs in just three innings, maintaining a strike rate of over 163 and remaining unbeaten twice – numbers that highlight both his reliability and attacking intent.

“Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender to win the Orange Cap with a good strike rate this time,” Ashwin said. “I will also put Shubman Gill in the same line, but he has obviously missed one game, so Yashasvi Jaiswal has a slightly better chance.” He added that “Jaiswal has a better chance” to win the Orange Cap than Gill.

Ashwin also pointed out that Jaiswal is currently leading the run charts, which gives him an early advantage in the race. In a tournament where momentum often plays a huge role, getting off to such a strong start can make a significant difference.

Jaiswal’s latest performance against Mumbai Indians (MI) was a perfect example of his current form. In a rain-shortened match in Guwahati, he played a stunning unbeaten knock of 77 runs off just 32 balls. Right from the beginning, he looked in complete control, attacking the bowlers and putting pressure on the opposition.

His innings included 10 fours and 4 sixes, and he wasted no time in setting the tone. During the powerplay alone, he scored 58 runs in just over three overs, effectively taking the game away from MI early on. That aggressive start played a key role in RR securing a comfortable 27-run victory.

Ashwin’s prediction did not come out of nowhere. Even before the tournament began, he had been closely tracking players who could dominate the season. Earlier, he had named Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill as one of his picks for the Orange Cap, highlighting his hunger for runs.

“Knowing Shubman and having seen him from close quarters, he likes batting a lot. And making runs is a hobby for him,” Ashwin had said. However, he also cautioned Gill against focusing too much on strike rate, suggesting that it could affect his overall performance and the team’s balance.

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Interestingly, Ashwin had also backed Delhi Capitals (DC) batter KL Rahul as another strong contender before the season started. He even suggested that Rahul should be used as an opener to maximize his impact.

“Make sure he opens this season. He will have the Orange Cap if he does,” Ashwin said, recalling Rahul’s past performances and questioning why he hadn’t been consistently used at the top of the order.

Despite these earlier predictions, it is Jaiswal who has surged ahead in the early stages of IPL 2026. With the Royals winning all three of their matches so far, the team’s strong position on the points table has further boosted his chances.

At this point in the tournament, Jaiswal looks like the batter to beat. His combination of consistency, aggressive scoring, and ability to stay unbeaten has set him apart from the rest. If he continues in this form, Ashwin’s prediction could very well turn into reality as the season progresses.

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