As anticipation builds for IPL 2026, former India opener Aakash Chopra has shared his predictions for two of the tournament’s most prestigious individual awards—the Orange Cap and the Purple Cap. Known for his sharp analysis and bold calls, Chopra has once again placed his faith in young batting sensation and India’s premier fast bowler to dominate the upcoming season.
Aakash Chopra picks the Orange Cap winner in IPL 2026
Chopra has backed Rajasthan Royals’ explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to emerge as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026. The former cricketer admitted that he has consistently tipped Jaiswal in previous seasons, but believes this could finally be the year the youngster delivers a truly monumental performance.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said he expects Jaiswal to push the boundaries and potentially produce a season in the range of 700 to 900 runs—something only a handful of batters have achieved in IPL history. His confidence stems not just from Jaiswal’s talent, but also from his aggressive intent at the top of the order.
“Can this be Yashasvi Jaiswal’s year? I say before every IPL whether it could be his year? Can it be a 700-900-run reason for this guy? I will say once again whether it can be his. I will once again focus on Yashasvi Jaiswal because I like him a lot,” said Chopra.
Jaiswal had an impressive IPL 2025 campaign, finishing as the seventh-highest run-scorer. He accumulated 559 runs in 14 innings at a striking rate of 159.71, showcasing both consistency and attacking flair. Despite not clinching the Orange Cap last season, his performances reinforced his status as one of the most dangerous young batters in the league.
Star pacer tipped for Purple Cap glory
On the bowling front, Chopra has identified Mumbai Indians spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as his pick for the Purple Cap in IPL 2026. However, he attached a crucial condition—Bumrah must remain fit and available for the entire season.
Chopra acknowledged that Bumrah’s workload management often limits his participation across all matches, but insisted that if the pacer plays a full season, he could outclass the competition.
“Who can be the highest wicket-taker? That’s an interesting one. Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t play all the matches. If he plays all the matches, he could be the one. If Bumrah plays all matches, let’s make it Bumrah,” added Chopra.
Bumrah had a solid IPL 2025 season, claiming 18 wickets in just 12 innings at an impressive economy rate of 6.67. Despite missing a few games, he still finished as the seventh-highest wicket-taker, underlining his efficiency and impact.
While discussing other contenders, Chopra mentioned several top Indian pacers including Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. He also briefly considered overseas options like Mitchell Starc. However, he ultimately circled back to Bumrah as his top choice, citing his unmatched ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
“I am thinking about Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Mitchell Starc among the overseas. Who can it be? Josh Hazlewood isn’t going to play all the games. Let’s go with Bumrah,” Chopra added further.
