Former Indian cricketers Aakash Chopra and Harbhajan Singh, who are part of the IPL 2025 commentary team, have called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to revise an important rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both Chopra and Harbhajan have been regulars in the commentary panel for the past few seasons and continue their roles this year, offering in-depth analysis before and after each match.
On May 17, IPL 2025 resumed with the 58th match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Unfortunately, the game was abandoned without a toss due to rain. During the delay, Chopra and Harbhajan engaged in discussions about the tournament’s leading run-scorers and top wicket-takers.
Aakash Chopra and Harbhajan Singh Want BCCI to Change Rules for Orange Cap and Purple Cap Winners
During a discussion on JioHotstar, former cricketer Aakash Chopra suggested that the rules for determining the Orange Cap and Purple Cap winners in the IPL should be modified. Chopra, 47, proposed that these awards should be decided at the end of the league stage rather than after the playoffs.
Aakash Chopra highlighted that teams reaching the playoffs get to play three additional matches compared to those eliminated. As a result, players from playoff teams have more opportunities to score runs or take wickets, creating an unfair advantage.
He, therefore, urged the BCCI to consider changing this rule. Harbhajan Singh also supported Chopra’s views. Notably, Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who once led the Orange Cap leaderboard this season, is now sixth with 473 runs, including five half-centuries. However, since RR has been eliminated from the playoffs, Jaiswal’s chances of winning the Orange Cap have significantly decreased.
Aakash Chopra, Currently, Suryakumar Yadav (MI) holds the Orange Cap, while Virat Kohli (RCB) is also among the top five run-scorers. Other players in the top five are Gujarat Titans (GT) batters Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. MI, RCB, and GT are among the favorites to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs.