Yashasvi Jaiswal kept wickets for Mumbai in their practice game ahead of the Ranji Trophy opener.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has criticized Yashasvi Jaiswal's decision to take up the wicket-keeping role, calling the move "a bit of a joke" and describing it as an "act of desperation" to force his way into India's highly competitive white-ball setups.
While Jaiswal has already established himself as India’s premier red-ball opener, Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad confirmed that the southpaw has been training hard with the big gloves to add another dimension to his game. The pictures of him putting in the hard yards behind the stumps have also surfaced ahead of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season.
However, Jaffer strongly advised the 24-year-old Jaiswal to keep his primary focus on batting, pointing out several key reasons why the transition is impractical.
He noted that wicket-keeping is a highly specialized skill that is extremely difficult to master quickly if a player has not been doing it since childhood.
Even if Jaiswal manages to develop the skill, Jaffer questioned where he would fit in, given that established wicketkeeper-batters like Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan already occupy those slots in the national team.
"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.
"It is very difficult in Test cricket. But I feel this is a bit of a joke because wicket-keeping is not an easy task if you have not done it since childhood. It is not an easy skill that you can develop very quickly.
"I think he is getting a little desperate to get into the white-ball teams. I think he needs to focus on his batting ahead of the Ranji Trophy and the New Zealand tour," he added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is available for Mumbai's opening Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium, starting October 11. However, due to his upcoming commitments with the Indian national team, he will miss Mumbai's subsequent domestic fixtures.
In preparation for the domestic season, Jaiswal also showcased his versatility by keeping wickets for approximately 10 overs during one of Mumbai's practice matches.
(With PTI Inputs)