Yashasvi Jaiswal Takes Up Wicketkeeping as He Eyes a Bigger Role for Mumbai and India

Yashasvi Jaiswal is exploring a new dimension to his cricketing career by practising wicketkeeping ahead of Mumbai's 2026–27 Ranji Trophy campaign. The India Test opener has reportedly been working on his skills behind the stumps, with Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad revealing that Jaiswal wants to develop the role for his state side or potentially the national team.

The development has attracted attention because Jaiswal is already an established top-order batter in Test cricket. His attempt to add wicketkeeping to his skill set could provide more flexibility as he looks for opportunities across formats.

Siddhesh Lad Reveals Jaiswal's Ambition

Lad discussed Jaiswal's wicketkeeping practice during a pre-season interaction ahead of Mumbai's domestic campaign. According to the captain, Jaiswal has expressed an interest in learning the role and is putting effort into developing the necessary skills.

Lad said he understood that Jaiswal wanted to keep wickets for Mumbai or eventually for India, although he acknowledged that he did not have complete clarity on the batter's long-term plans.

The comments suggest that Jaiswal's training is more than a casual experiment, even though there has been no official announcement that he intends to become a regular wicketkeeper.

Practice Behind the Stumps

Jaiswal has already tried wicketkeeping during Mumbai's preparations for the new Ranji Trophy season. Reports indicate that he kept wickets for around 10 overs in an intra-squad practice match.

He has also shared images of himself wearing wicketkeeping gloves on social media, providing a public glimpse of his work behind the stumps.

For now, the focus appears to be on developing familiarity with the position. Wicketkeeping requires technical skills that differ considerably from batting, including footwork, glove work, anticipation and the ability to remain focused for long periods.

Why Jaiswal May Be Exploring a New Role

Jaiswal has established himself as a prominent batter in Test cricket, but the competition for places in India's ODI and T20I sides is substantial.

In ODIs, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have occupied the opening positions, while the T20I setup has featured Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top of the order. Young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also among the players competing for future opportunities.

Adding wicketkeeping to his existing batting ability could potentially make Jaiswal a more versatile selection option. However, developing the skill does not guarantee a place in India's white-ball teams, where selection will continue to depend on performance, team balance and the requirements of each format.

A Possible Route Into White-Ball Cricket

Indian cricket has previously seen specialist batters take up wicketkeeping to broaden their roles within the team. KL Rahul, for example, has handled wicketkeeping duties in ODI cricket while continuing to contribute as a batter.

Jaiswal's experiment has prompted comparisons with that approach, although his situation remains at an early stage. He would need sustained practice and experience in competitive matches before wicketkeeping could become a realistic option at international level.

For the moment, his primary strength remains batting, and his recent work behind the stumps should be viewed as skill development rather than a confirmed change in role.

Mumbai Welcome His Experience

Jaiswal's availability is also a boost for Mumbai as they prepare for the new domestic season. Despite his growing international commitments, the left-hander has made himself available for the team's opening Ranji Trophy fixture against Chandigarh.

Lad said Jaiswal adds value beyond his individual performances, particularly through his experience of playing at the highest level. His presence can help younger members of the squad understand the demands of professional cricket.

The Mumbai captain also emphasised that representing the state comes with significant expectations because of its history in domestic cricket. The team has won 42 Ranji Trophy titles and remains one of India's most successful domestic sides.

Jaiswal's Commitment to Mumbai

Jaiswal's involvement with Mumbai has remained important despite his international rise. He had previously considered moving to Goa but reversed that decision in 2025 and continued representing Mumbai.

His willingness to play domestic cricket when available gives the team access to an experienced international batter and helps him maintain match practice in the red-ball format.

The upcoming Ranji Trophy opener will therefore offer Jaiswal an opportunity to contribute with the bat while continuing to develop his wicketkeeping skills during training.

Ayush Mhatre Shares Lessons From MS Dhoni

The Mumbai pre-season interaction also featured vice-captain Ayush Mhatre, who spoke about lessons he learned from MS Dhoni during his time with Chennai Super Kings.

Mhatre said Dhoni emphasised the importance of staying calm on the field and avoiding decisions driven by short bursts of aggression. The advice helped him understand the value of composure while leading India's Under-19 team.

His comments reflected Mumbai's focus on developing young leaders as they prepare for another demanding domestic season.

Mumbai's Ranji Trophy Campaign Begins

Mumbai are scheduled to open their Ranji Trophy campaign against Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium from October 11. Jaiswal is expected to be available for the opening fixture before moving on to his next assignment.

The squad also includes experienced players such as Sarfaraz Khan and Shams Mulani, while Mhatre will serve as vice-captain under Lad's leadership. Fast bowler Shardul Thakur is unavailable for the opener because of injury.

The opening match will be an important opportunity for Mumbai to begin the season strongly while integrating younger players into a side with a demanding domestic history.

What Wicketkeeping Could Mean for Jaiswal

Jaiswal's decision to practise wicketkeeping has opened an interesting discussion about how established batters can expand their skill sets to improve their selection prospects.

If he continues developing the role, it could give Mumbai additional flexibility in domestic cricket. Any future international role, however, would require further evidence that he can perform the job to the standard expected of an India wicketkeeper.

It is also possible that the experiment will simply add another useful skill to his overall cricketing ability without becoming a regular match-day responsibility.

A Work in Progress

For now, Jaiswal's wicketkeeping ambitions remain a developing story. Lad's comments confirm that the batter is practising seriously, but neither Mumbai nor the Indian team has announced a formal change to his playing role.

His immediate priority remains contributing as a batter for Mumbai and continuing his progress in international cricket. The coming domestic season may provide further opportunities to see how far his work behind the stumps develops.

Could Jaiswal Become a Wicketkeeper-Batter?

Jaiswal has already demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level as a specialist batter. His latest experiment shows a willingness to explore new ways to contribute, particularly as competition for India's white-ball positions intensifies.

Whether wicketkeeping becomes a regular part of his career remains uncertain. For now, his effort reflects an ambition to become a more versatile cricketer and keep additional opportunities open for the future.