IPL 2026: Ravichandran Ashwin Backs KL Rahul For Orange Cap Ahead Of Virat Kohli, Samson & Gill

Add as a preferred source on Google

IPL 2026: Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has backed KL Rahul to win the Orange Cap in this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) over Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson, and Shubman Gill. The former Indian offie advised the Delhi Capitals (DC) think tank to put Rahul in the opening slot along with Pathum Nissanka.

Highlighting KL Rahul's potential as a T20 opener, Ashwin recalled a standout innings against Chennai Super Kings, where the 33-year-old excelled on a tricky two-paced surface, yet was never used as an opener again.

Ashwin's pick for the Orange Cap has surprised everyone, given that he did not consider players like Sanju Samson (CSK) and Ishan Kishan (SRH), who are heading into the tournament on the back of a strong T20 World Cup 2026 performance. The former Indian player also chose to ignore big names like Virat Kohli, who has a tried and tested formula when it comes to IPL.

What Is Ashwin's Advice For DC In IPL 2026?

In his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin advised that the Delhi Capitals side should open the innings with Nissanka and Rahul. He said that DC just needs to do the basics right and leave the rest to the players who are capable of winning it for the side.

"There was a match against CSK, where KL Rahul played an exceptional knock on a two-paced pitch. Yet, they never opened with him again for a while after that. Make sure he opens this season. He will have the Orange Cap if he does. Have Pathum Nissanka open with him at the top. Just do these basic things and leave it to the players," he said on his YouTube channel.

However, the former Indian cricketer advised the DC staff not to overthink during the games and stick to the basics. He cited the example of Ashutosh Sharma who, even after playing brilliantly, was sidelined for Sameer Rizvi, who was all of a sudden drafted into the team.

DC's Chances Of Winning

Talking about the Delhi Capitals ahead of the new season, Ashwin praised the squad as well-balanced and strong enough to mount a serious title challenge. He suggested that only frequent changes in team combinations could derail their campaign, as the side has the depth and firepower to compete with top teams like the Mumbai Indians.

However, reflecting on Delhi's inconsistent history in the IPL, he also admitted that they could end up having a stop-start season, potentially scraping through to the playoffs rather than dominating throughout.