Aakash Chopra Forecasts Orange and Purple Cap Winners for IPL 2026
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has made his predictions for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap contenders ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, selecting an all-Indian lineup for these prestigious awards. The IPL 2026 campaign is set to kick off with a thrilling opener between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Bengaluru this Saturday.
Orange Cap Predictions: Focus on Top Indian Batters
In a detailed analysis on his YouTube channel, Chopra emphasized that the Orange Cap, awarded to the tournament's highest run-scorer, typically favors openers. He highlighted young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, both previous Orange Cap winners, as strong contenders. Additionally, he included legendary batter Virat Kohli, a two-time recipient, in his picks. Chopra noted that if Delhi Capitals (DC) advance deep into the tournament, their opener KL Rahul could also be in the running.
"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 Shubman Gill because he might be the hungriest," Chopra stated.
"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," he added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's Path Back to the Indian Team
Chopra also discussed Jaiswal's prospects of returning to the Indian T20I and ODI squads, especially after players like Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson solidified their spots following India's T20 World Cup victory. He suggested that Jaiswal needs to score 600-650 runs in IPL 2026 to regain attention.
"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," Chopra explained.
Jaiswal's international record includes 723 runs in 23 T20Is at an average of 36.15 and a strike rate of 164.31, with one century and five fifties. In ODIs, he has 171 runs from four matches, including a century. Over the last three IPL seasons, he has amassed 1,619 runs in 43 innings for Rajasthan Royals, averaging 40.47 with a strike rate above 160, featuring two centuries and 12 fifties. His breakout 2023 season saw him finish as the fifth-highest run-getter with 625 runs in 14 innings.
Purple Cap Predictions: Bumrah and Chakravarthy Lead the Way
For the Purple Cap, awarded to the highest wicket-taker, Chopra identified Mumbai Indians' pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Kolkata Knight Riders' spinner Varun Chakravarthy as the front-runners.
"As for the Purple Cap, two names come to my mind. One is Jasprit Bumrah, and the second is Varun Chakravarthy. Maybe I will just go with Jasprit Bumrah this time. If he remains fit and available and plays the entire season, he could end up as the highest wicket-taker in this season of the IPL," Chopra said.
Addressing Bumrah's recent visit to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Chopra expressed optimism about his fitness, stating, "I do not know actually. I think he is. He might have gone slightly precautionary because no such injury report has come. I guess he will be there is what I am hoping and thinking. I am even saying that the Purple Cap could be on his head, but if he is not there, it puts a spanner in the works."
In the previous season, Bumrah was the sixth-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 17.55 and an economy rate of 6.67, with best figures of 4/22. Varun Chakravarthy secured the seventh spot with 17 wickets at an average of 22.52 and an economy rate of 7.66, with best figures of 3/22.
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, fans eagerly await to see if Chopra's predictions will come true, with Indian stars poised to dominate the scoring and bowling charts.
