Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran has opined that Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender to win the Orange Cap in IPL 2026. Jaiswal is currently the Orange Cap holder as he has scored 170 runs in three matches of the season at an average of 170 and a strike rate of 163.46.
Jaiswal smashed Deepak Chahar for 22 runs in the opening over against MI on Tuesday and there was no stopping after that. The left-hander went on to score an unbeaten knock of 77 runs off 32 balls with the help of 10 fours and four sixes. Thus, RR were able to post an above par total of 150 runs on the board in 11 overs.
Jaiswal added 80 runs off just 30 balls for the opening alliance with Suryavanshi contributing 39 runs off just 14 balls.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender to win the Orange Cap with a good strike rate this time. 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.”
Meanwhile, Sandeep Sharma returned with impressive figures of 2-26 in three overs he bowled against MI. Sharma dismissed Rohit Sharma for the sixth time in the IPL and also accounted for Shardul Thakur. Ashwin praised the medium pacer for his impressive spell.
“There is a huge difference between Sandeep Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. But the best three Indian fast bowlers in the IPL are Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sandeep Sharma. Sandeep Sharma is very close to them. He swings the new ball, has the knuckleball, and Rajasthan Royals back him at the death too, because he has the character. He is not flamboyant or bowls at 140 kph, but is effective.”
“He once again took Rohit Sharma’s wicket. No matter how much we praise him, it will be less. Poor guy had been signed at his base price when I was in Rajasthan. He has bowled brilliantly and is the No. 1 in the five-man bowling attack,” he added.
Rajasthan Royals will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Friday.
