Yashasvi Jaiswal has added an unexpected skill to his cricketing preparations. The India opener has been training with wicketkeeping gloves ahead of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy campaign, and captain Siddhesh Lad has revealed what is behind the move.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is known primarily for his aggressive batting, but the young India star is now working on another aspect of his cricket.
The 24-year-old was recently seen practising wicketkeeping during Mumbai’s preparations for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season at the Wankhede Stadium. Jaiswal’s decision to train behind the stumps quickly caught the attention of fans and raised questions about whether he could eventually take up the role in competitive cricket.
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad has now shed some light on the development.
Jaiswal Wants to Add Another Skill to His Game
According to Lad, Jaiswal has been seriously working on his wicketkeeping and wants to expand his abilities as a cricketer.
Lad told PTI that he had heard Jaiswal was interested in keeping wickets either for Mumbai or, potentially, for India in the future. However, the Mumbai captain also admitted that he was not completely sure about Jaiswal’s long-term intentions.
For now, the main focus appears to be regular practice.
“He is someone who has started practising keeping wickets because he feels he wants to add something more to his game,” Lad said.
Jaiswal has reportedly been working on his stance, catching and reactions behind the stumps rather than simply trying the gloves for fun.
Jaiswal Spotted Keeping During Practice
Jaiswal’s wicketkeeping experiment became public after he was seen wearing the gloves during Mumbai’s pre-season sessions.
He also reportedly kept wickets for a period during one of Mumbai’s practice matches, giving him an opportunity to experience the demands of the position in a match-like environment.
While there is no indication that Jaiswal is set to replace Mumbai’s specialist wicketkeepers, the training could help him become a more versatile player in the future.
The India Batter Has Previously Bowled Leg-Spin
This is not the first time Jaiswal has attempted to develop a skill outside his primary batting role.
The left-handed batter has occasionally bowled leg-spin in practice sessions for India and has shown that he is willing to contribute with the ball when required.
Adding wicketkeeping to that list would make him even more versatile.
In modern cricket, players who can contribute in multiple areas can provide teams with greater flexibility, particularly in limited-overs formats where every spot in the playing XI has tactical importance.
Could Jaiswal Ever Keep for India?
For now, there is no confirmation that Jaiswal will become an international wicketkeeper.
India already have specialist players for the position, and Jaiswal’s primary role remains that of a top-order batter.
However, developing wicketkeeping skills could provide another option in the future.
Indian cricket has seen specialist batters take up wicketkeeping before. Rahul Dravid famously performed the role for India in ODIs during the early 2000s, giving the team an additional combination option.
Jaiswal’s situation is still at a very early stage, so comparisons with Dravid should be treated cautiously.
Mumbai Receive Major Boost From Jaiswal’s Presence
Jaiswal’s availability is an important boost for Mumbai at the beginning of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season.
Mumbai will begin their campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium. The team is entering the season after several changes, including Ajinkya Rahane’s retirement.
Lad believes Jaiswal’s presence can benefit the team beyond his performances with the bat.
The Mumbai captain pointed out that players who have already performed at the international level can provide valuable experience to younger members of the squad.
Jaiswal is expected to be available only for the opening match before returning to national-team commitments.
Mumbai’s 2026-27 Ranji Trophy Squad
Mumbai’s squad for the season includes:
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.
With Aakash Anand and Hardik Tamore already available as wicketkeeping options, Jaiswal’s training is unlikely to be an immediate solution to Mumbai’s wicketkeeping requirements.
Instead, it appears to be part of the batter’s personal effort to broaden his cricketing abilities.
Jaiswal’s New Skill Adds Another Dimension
Whether Jaiswal eventually keeps wickets in a competitive Ranji Trophy match or represents India as a wicketkeeper remains uncertain.
For now, his decision to learn the craft shows a willingness to step outside his established role and become a more complete cricketer.
With the domestic season underway, Jaiswal’s batting will remain the main attraction. But his unexpected work behind the stumps could be one of the more interesting developments to watch as Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy campaign progresses.
