Yashasvi Jaiswal Trains as Wicketkeeper Ahead of Ranji Trophy, Mumbai Captain Reveals the Reason

Yashasvi Jaiswal has surprised cricket fans with a new addition to his game. The India opener has been training as a wicketkeeper ahead of Mumbai’s 2026-27 Ranji Trophy campaign, giving himself another skill to fall back on when required.

Jaiswal was spotted wearing wicketkeeping gloves during Mumbai’s preparations at the Wankhede Stadium ahead of their opening Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh. What initially appeared to be a training exercise has now emerged as a serious attempt by the 24-year-old batter to develop his skills behind the stumps.

Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad confirmed that Jaiswal has been putting considerable effort into wicketkeeping during the team’s pre-season preparations.

Why Is Yashasvi Jaiswal Learning Wicketkeeping?

Speaking to PTI, Siddhesh Lad revealed that Jaiswal wants to add another dimension to his cricket.

Lad said he had heard that Jaiswal was interested in keeping wickets for Mumbai or potentially even for India in the future, although he admitted that he did not have complete clarity about the batter’s long-term plans.

Jaiswal’s decision appears to be part of his broader approach to becoming a more versatile cricketer.

The young left-hander has already shown an interest in developing skills outside his primary role. He occasionally bowls leg-spin in practice and has also bowled in competitive cricket when required.

Wicketkeeping would now give him another potential role.

Jaiswal Has Been Doing Serious Keeping Practice

Jaiswal’s wicketkeeping work has reportedly been more than just a casual experiment.

During Mumbai’s pre-season training, he was seen working on his stance, collecting the ball and improving his reactions behind the wickets. He also reportedly kept wickets for around 10 overs during a practice game.

The development attracted attention because Jaiswal is primarily known as one of India’s leading young opening batters.

Lad explained that Jaiswal has started practising wicketkeeping because he believes it can add something extra to his game.

“If he keeps practising, he will get used to it,” the Mumbai captain said, explaining that regular practice could help Jaiswal become comfortable with the role.

Could Jaiswal Eventually Keep Wickets for India?

It remains too early to say whether Jaiswal will actually become India’s wicketkeeper in international cricket.

India already have specialist wicketkeepers, meaning Jaiswal is unlikely to take over the role simply because he has started training for it.

However, having the ability to keep wickets could give team management another option in certain situations, particularly in white-ball cricket where squad flexibility can be extremely valuable.

The move also brings back memories of Rahul Dravid, who took up wicketkeeping for India in ODIs during the early 2000s. Dravid’s ability to contribute both with the bat and behind the stumps gave India additional flexibility.

It would be premature to compare Jaiswal’s development directly with Dravid’s career, but the idea of becoming a multi-skilled player is certainly similar.

Jaiswal’s Availability Gives Mumbai a Major Boost

Jaiswal’s presence will be important for Mumbai as they begin their 2026-27 Ranji Trophy campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium.

The Mumbai side is entering a new phase following Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement and the absence of Shardul Thakur.

Although Jaiswal is expected to be available only for the opening game because of his international commitments, his presence gives the team considerable experience at the highest level.

Lad also highlighted the value Jaiswal brings beyond his own performances.

According to the Mumbai captain, sharing a dressing room with an international-level player can help younger members of the squad learn and gain confidence.

Jaiswal’s Versatility Could Become a Major Asset

Jaiswal is already regarded as a talented opening batter, but modern cricket increasingly rewards players who can contribute in multiple areas.

His ability to bowl occasional leg-spin and his latest work on wicketkeeping show that he is interested in expanding his overall skill set.

For India, such versatility can be useful when constructing a playing XI. A player capable of contributing in more than one role can provide additional tactical options, especially in limited-overs cricket.

However, Jaiswal’s primary responsibility will remain his batting. His wicketkeeping development is still at an early stage, and there is no confirmation that he will take up the gloves in an international match.

Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy Squad for 2026-27

Mumbai’s squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season includes:

Siddhesh Lad (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ayush Mhatre (Vice-Captain), 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.

With specialist wicketkeepers already part of the squad, Jaiswal’s training appears to be more about expanding his own skill set than immediately taking over the position.

For now, the biggest question is whether his work behind the stumps remains a training experiment or eventually becomes another weapon in his cricketing career.

As Mumbai begin their Ranji Trophy campaign at the Wankhede, Jaiswal could attract attention not only for his batting but also for his unexpected work with the gloves.