Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s middling IPL 2026 season after Rajasthan Royals were knocked out of the tournament. Jaiswal was dismissed after managing a solitary run off two balls in the second qualifier against Gujarat Titans at New Chandigarh on Friday.

Chopra reckons Jaiswal felt the pressure of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had a mammoth 776-run season. Jaiswal, on the other hand, scored 427 runs in 16 matches for RR.

The 24-year-old got off to a promising start in the season but then veered off the track.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “I am slightly worried about Yashasvi Jaiswal. If you stand next to a tsunami, no matter how good you are, it seems like there are a few waves. That kind of batting is impossible to match, but you are trying to become like him. Yashasvi is feeling the pressure of Vaibhav, and that’s why he got out like that in the first over. This was a middling season. I really hope that he doesn’t get lost.”

Adding  further, Chopra picked Jofra Archer, Donovan Ferreira and Dhruv Jurel as the positives for RR.

“Dhruv Jurel was a big tick. He was given a different role, and he did an excellent job in that. He played at different tempos and did what his team needed. Jofra Archer, he did the job of winning the Powerplay alone repeatedly. So Jofra Archer was a big thumbs up. Donovan Ferriera, again, a big thumbs up,” he observed.

The renowned commentator named Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger and Yash Raj Punja as other positives for the inaugural champions.

“I feel Yash Raj Punja has done a good job. Few opportunities, because Ravi Bishnoi was playing earlier, but when Punja started playing, he did well. Brijesh Sharma – excellent scouting, because he has never played Ranji or Syed Mushtaq Ali. He has shown the temperament that he can deliver in this league. Nandre Burger’s contribution was quite good whenever he played,” Chopra elaborated.

RR will aim to bounce back even stronger in the next season.