Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin Rajasthan Royals (RR) have thrown their weight behind opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal as a leading contender for the Orange Cap. ipl 2026. The young left-hander has been in sensational form, and his recent performances have cemented his claim as one of the standout batsmen this season.
R Ashwin said, “I will put Shubman Gill in the same line.”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin did not shy away from praising Jaiswal’s consistency and aggressive approach. The opening batsman has scored 170 runs in just three innings while maintaining a strike rate of over 163 and remaining unbeaten twice – figures that highlight both his reliability and aggressive intent.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender to win the Orange Cap this time with a good strike rate. Ashwin said. “I would also put Shubman Gill in the same line, but he has obviously missed a game, so Yashasvi Jaiswal has a slightly better chance.” he added this “Jaiswal has a better chance” Gill to win the Orange Cap.
Ashwin also pointed out that Jaiswal currently leads the run charts, which gives him an early lead in the race. In a tournament where pace often plays a big role, such a strong start can make a significant difference.
Jaiswal’s latest performance against Mumbai Indians (MI) This was a perfect example of his current form. In the rain-interrupted match in Guwahati, he played a brilliant unbeaten inning of 77 runs on just 32 balls. From the start he looked in complete control, attacking the bowlers and putting pressure on the opposition team.
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 three overs, taking the game away from MI early on. That aggressive start played a key role in RR leading to a comfortable 27-run win.
Ashwin’s prediction did not come out of the blue. Even before the tournament started, he was keeping a close eye on the players who could dominate the season. Earlier, he had named Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill as one of his choices for the Orange Cap, highlighting his hunger for runs.
“After knowing Shubhman and seeing him closely, we come to know that he likes batting very much. And scoring runs is his hobby.” Ashwin had said. However, he 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) batsman KL Rahul as another strong contender before the start of the season. He even suggested that Rahul should be used as an opening batsman to maximize his impact.
“Make sure he opens this season. If he does that he will have the orange cap.” Recalling Rahul’s past performances, Ashwin raised questions as to why he was not used consistently at the top of the order.
Despite these earlier predictions, it is Jaiswal who has taken the lead in the early stages of IPL 2026. The Royals have won all their three matches so far, with the team’s strong position in the points table further boosting their chances.
At this point in the tournament, Jaiswal is looking like the batsman to beat. His combination of consistency, aggressive scoring and ability to remain unbeaten has made him stand out from the rest. If he continues to be in this form, Ashwin’s prediction may turn into reality as the season progresses.