IPL 2026: Aakash Chopra predicts Orange and Purple cap contenders, ranks Virat Kohli third

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has predicted the potential winners of the Orange Cap for the 2026 season of the IPL.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders man named Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as the possible contenders for the Orange Cap in 2026, expecting a brilliant season for the Rajasthan Royals opener. The Gujarat Titans skipper comes in after being omitted from the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, and will be hungry for runs, according to Chopra.

‘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 said, speaking on his Youtube channel.

Chopra has also named star batter Virat Kohli as his third name for the Orange Cap. Kohli was third in the run-charts in 2025 with 657 runs as Royal Challengers Bengaluru side finally lifted their maiden crown. Kohli has the most runs in the history of the IPL, with 8,661 runs in 267 matches. Chopra also named KL Rahul as a contender, provided Delhi Capitals make it far in the tournament.

“The third is, of course, Virat Kohli, because he doesn’t 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.

Chopra has also named India duo Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy as his potential winners for Purple Cap. The pair was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, with 14 scalps each.

“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,” he said.

Chopra hopes that Bumrah is fit and ready for the IPL, with reports of him reporting to BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and is yet to report in Mumbai. 

“I don’t 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,” Chopra responded.

The 2025 season saw Gujarat Titans players bag both awards. Sai Sudharsan finished as the leading run scorer, with 759 runs while Prasidh Krishna finished as the leading-wicket taker with 25 scalps.