Yashasvi Jaiswal has been making headlines for an unusual reason ahead of the new domestic cricket season. The India batter has been spotted practising wicketkeeping during Mumbai’s preparations for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy, adding an unexpected element to his already impressive cricketing skill set.
Jaiswal, who has established himself as one of India’s most exciting opening batters, was seen wearing wicketkeeping gloves during training at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
The development has naturally led to speculation about whether the youngster could eventually take up wicketkeeping in competitive cricket.
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad has now spoken about Jaiswal’s decision to work on the skill.
Why Is Yashasvi Jaiswal Practising Wicketkeeping?
Jaiswal’s wicketkeeping sessions are reportedly part of his effort to become a more versatile cricketer.
Siddhesh Lad said that Jaiswal has been putting in genuine effort behind the stumps. The Mumbai captain also revealed that Jaiswal may have ambitions of keeping wickets for either Mumbai or the Indian team, although Lad said he did not have complete information about the batter’s plans.
The important point, however, is that Jaiswal is voluntarily working on the skill.
Rather than limiting himself to batting, the young star appears keen to develop another area of his game.
From Opening Batter to Wicketkeeper?
Jaiswal’s main responsibility has always been scoring runs at the top of the order. His aggressive batting style has made him an important part of India’s future plans.
Wicketkeeping, meanwhile, requires an entirely different set of skills.
A player has to develop a reliable crouching position, quick hand movements, sharp reflexes and the ability to collect deliveries consistently while staying focused throughout an innings.
Jaiswal has reportedly been working on these fundamentals during Mumbai’s training sessions.
He also took the gloves during a practice match for a period of time, giving him some experience of keeping in a match environment.
Jaiswal Has Always Shown Interest in Multiple Skills
The wicketkeeping experiment is not completely out of character for Jaiswal.
The left-hander has previously bowled leg-spin during practice sessions and has occasionally contributed with the ball when opportunities have arisen.
His latest effort suggests that he is interested in becoming more than just a specialist batter.
In modern cricket, versatility can be extremely valuable. Players capable of contributing in multiple ways can give team management additional options when selecting a playing XI.
Could This Help Jaiswal’s India Chances?
There is currently no confirmation that Jaiswal is preparing to become India’s first-choice wicketkeeper.
India already have specialist wicketkeepers, so his development behind the stumps should not necessarily be viewed as an immediate change to his international role.
However, the additional skill could prove useful in certain situations.
A similar example from Indian cricket is Rahul Dravid, who took responsibility for wicketkeeping in ODIs during the early part of his career. His ability to combine batting with wicketkeeping gave India greater flexibility in team selection.
Whether Jaiswal eventually reaches a similar level as a wicketkeeper remains unknown, but his willingness to learn the skill could provide him with another option later in his career.
Mumbai Begin Ranji Campaign With Jaiswal
Jaiswal’s presence is a major boost for Mumbai as they begin their 2026-27 Ranji Trophy campaign.
Mumbai are scheduled to face Chandigarh in their opening match at the Wankhede Stadium.
The side is entering the new season after changes to its leadership group and squad, including the retirement of veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane.
For the opening fixture, Mumbai will have the advantage of having an established India batter in their lineup.
Lad also believes Jaiswal’s experience can benefit the younger players around him. Spending time with an international cricketer can provide valuable lessons for players still trying to establish themselves at the domestic level.
Jaiswal’s Ranji Trophy Availability Is Limited
Jaiswal is not expected to remain with Mumbai for the entire domestic campaign because of his international commitments.
According to Lad, the opener is likely to be available for the first game before joining up with the national side.
That makes his presence in Mumbai’s opening fixture even more significant.
The team will look to make the most of his batting ability, while fans will also be interested to see whether he gets another opportunity to work with the gloves.
Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy Squad
Mumbai’s squad for the 2026-27 season features a mix of experienced players and promising young talent:
Siddhesh Lad (Captain), Ayush Mhatre (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Divyansh Saxena, Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Suved Parkar, Aakash Anand (WK), Hardik Tamore (WK), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Atharva Ankolekar, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Awasthi, Sylvester Dsouza and Onkar Tarmale.
Mumbai already have specialist wicketkeeping options in Aakash Anand and Hardik Tamore, meaning Jaiswal’s training is unlikely to be an immediate tactical requirement for the team.
Instead, it appears to be a personal development project for the India star.
What Next for Jaiswal?
For now, Jaiswal remains an opening batter first. His work behind the stumps is still developing, and it is too early to predict whether he will eventually keep wickets in a competitive match for Mumbai or India.
Nevertheless, the move highlights his desire to keep improving and add new dimensions to his cricket.
As Mumbai begin their Ranji Trophy campaign, Jaiswal’s bat will remain the biggest attraction. But his unexpected wicketkeeping experiment has certainly given fans another reason to keep an eye on the young Indian star.
