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India National Cricket Team's Test team opener and a stand-by in the ODIs, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has started wicketkeeping drills amid the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season. At the lunch break on Day 2 of the ongoing Ranji match between Mumbai and Chandigarh, Jaiswal was seen practicing wicketkeeping, donning the gloves.
Ahead of the match, newly appointed Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad informed reporters on Thursday that he had heard about Yashasvi Jaiswal's desire to evolve as the keeper-batter from a regular opener. It is strongly believed that Jaiswal has taken this initiative with the aim of sneaking into India's white-ball squad.
High demand for all-rounders in Indian cricket team
Since Gautam Gambhir took the reins as the Team India head coach, demand for all-rounders has increased at a rapid pace. In the course of the past few months, there have been multiple all-rounders, including Naman Dhir and Suryansh Shedge, who got their debut cap for the Indian cricket team.
There are multiple keeper-batters as well in the national team across the formats. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are there as the keeper-batters. Dhruv Jurel is also in the line to make his place permanent in any of the three formats.
Mumbai captain confirms Yashasvi Jaiswal wants to become a keeper-batter
As the Indian cricket team already has multiple players across all of their departments, it is unclear why Yashasvi Jaiswal wants to transform himself. Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad told the media that Jaiswal wants to play as a keeper-batter for both Mumbai and Team India in the upcoming days.
“That’s what I heard from him. And he wants to eventually, in future, keep wickets for maybe Mumbai or go on to keep wickets for the Indian team, is what he is aiming for. That is what I feel, but I haven’t got any clarity on that," Lad told reporters on Thursday.
Wasim Jaffer advises Yashasvi Jaiswal only to keep focus on batting
Former Team India opener Wasim Jaffer was furious with Yashasvi Jaiswal's fresh future planning. He advised the young opener to keep his focus only on his batting as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the team for the Tests against New Zealand. Jaffer pointed out that as there are already multiple keeper-batters for the ODIs and T20Is, Jaiswal's plans may not work.
"I think he needs to focus on his batting ahead of the Ranji Trophy and the New Zealand tour. I myself was surprised when I heard this. It is very difficult if you have not kept wickets since childhood. First of all, it is a very demanding job. Apart from that, where is that place even if he starts? There are Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Rishabh Pant. I am sure he wants to do it in white-ball cricket,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal was dismissed without scoring a single run in Mumbai's first innings against Chandigarh. He will have to play a good knock to justify his talent as a regular batter.
