Former England captain Michael Vaughan has rated Yashasvi Jaiswal as the best all-format batter after Rajasthan Royals registered a seven-wicket win against Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Tuesday.

Jaiswal, who was leading RR in place of Riyan Parag, gave a blistering start to his team in the run chase of 221. The left-hander scored 43 runs off 23 balls with the help of eight fours and one six and he was dominant partner in the opening stand with Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Jaiswal has scored 370 runs in 13 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 33.64 and a strike rate of 159.48.

Vaughan praised Jaiswal for taking the attack against LSG’s opening bowler Akash Singh. Singh conceded 23 runs in his first over, with Jaiswal scoring 16 runs.

Vaughan said on Cricbuzz, “The first over in a 220 chase is important. You have to get off to a flyer, and the captain played some wonderful shots. His offside game is a delight. But the bowling was really poor to him. Yashasvi is a wonderful player, and I have him as the best all-format batter.”

However, Vaughan reckons Jaiswal must be feeling second-best to opening partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored a match-winning knock of 93 runs off 38 balls.

“You look at the other end, and he must be thinking he’s playing great, and you’ve got this kid who is making me look like I am batting with a toothpick,” added Vaughan.

The former England batter added that RR’s skipper Riyan Parag’s absence didn’t affect the inaugural champions.

“Jadeja returning is going to be key. And Parag, being the captain, should return if he’s fit. But from what we saw in this match, his absence didn’t affect them. Though they still looked poor in the field. They are going to have to bring a little bit more intensity on the field. Their fielding side might let them down under pressure. That’s why Jadeja needs to come back in,” said Vaughan.

Rajasthan Royals will play their last league stage match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.