Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged Yashasvi Jaiswal to score 600-650 runs in the upcoming IPL 2026 to be considered for India’s white-ball teams. Jaiswal is a regular in India’s Test team but hasn’t been able to break into the limited-overs formats.

Jaiswal was India’s backup opener in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but failed to make it to the squad for the recently concluded T20 World Cup.

The left-handed opener scored 559 runs in 14 matches for Rajasthan Royals at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 159.71 in IPL 2025.

“Score 600-650 runs. If you score that many runs, people will stand up and take notice, and, to be fair, the last three seasons have been outstanding for Yashasvi Jaiswal from a strike rate and runs perspective,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra wants Jaiswal to have a bumper season and finish among the top run-getters of IPL 2026.

“He has just not won the Orange Cap, but the guy has been consistently scoring runs. So I am hoping for Yashasvi Jaiswal to have a bumper season, and for him to be amongst the top run-getters. If that happens, the India cap won’t be too far,” he observed.

The renowned commentator is optimistic that Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant will justify his huge price tag of INR 27 crore. Pant could not deliver the goods in the previous season as he scored only 269 runs in 13 innings.

“I think it can happen. I am not bullish, but I am very confident that it can happen. He will bat at No. 3. There will be clarity of mind this time. There were cobwebs last year, he was returning from injury, and plenty was riding on it,” he responded.

“There was a different pressure of the ₹27 crore price tag, and the team wasn’t doing well. There were plenty of things. This time playing with great clarity for the Lucknow Super Giants at No. 3, I feel Rishabh Pant could actually have a very decent season,” Chopra observed.

LSG will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Delhi Capitals on 1st April at Lucknow.