The upcoming edition of the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-kaif-urges-mi-to-fully-utilise-rohit-sharma-23622841" rel="nofollow">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) is all set to kick off from March 28.
Ahead of the league, former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his contenders for the Orange Cap.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former cricketer feels Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill could be the top contenders for the Orange Cap. He also said that it could be a bumper season for Jaiswal.
"The Orange Cap is generally on an opener's head, to be very honest. I am thinking that this might be a bumper season for Yashasvi Jaiswal, the bumper season you are waiting for. So I am extremely inclined to go towards him. The second guy could be <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ipl-2026-gujarat-titans-skipper-shubman-gill-expresses-his-views-on-impact-player-rule-23622781" rel="nofollow">Shubman Gill</a> because he might be the hungriest," he said.
Further speaking, he also feels that stalwart Virat Kohli and KL Rahul could also be among the players competing for the Orange Cap.
"The third is, of course, Virat Kohli, because he does not play cricket for long periods these days. So Virat Kohli could be that Orange Cap winner. One of these three is what I am thinking and hoping for. If Delhi progresses, it could be on KL Rahul's head as well," added Chopra.
The former cricketer was nothing short of praise for Jaiswal, saying that the previous three seasons have been outstanding for the left-handed batsman.
"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 <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/here-are-team-india-yashasvi-jaiswal-big-four-knocks-in-test-cricket-23598171" rel="nofollow">Yashasvi Jaiswal</a> from a strike rate and runs perspective," he said.
He signed off by saying that if Jaiswal delivers big performances in IPL 2026, the India cap for him would not be too far.
"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 would not be too far," said the 48-year-old former cricketer.
<h2>IPL 2026, Opening match: Date and venue</h2>
The first match of the tournament is scheduled to be played between the defending champions, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/rcb-sale-aditya-birla-grp-to-buy-franchise-for-usd-1-78-bn-23622452" rel="nofollow">Royal Challengers Bengaluru</a> (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
(With ANI Inputs)

IPL 2026: The first match of the tournament is scheduled to be played between the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad

IPL 2026 | `The Orange Cap is generally on an opener`s head...`: Aakash Chopra

IPL 2026: Aakash Chopra picks Virat Kohli over Rohit Sharma to have a big season with bat

The first match of the tournament is scheduled to be played between the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru

IPL 2026: Aakash Chopra picks top contenders for Orange Cap ahead of season

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