Wasim Jaffer Criticises Yashasvi Jaiswal Taking Up Wicketkeeping Duties

Wasim Jaffer, a former India batter, has expressed severe concerns about Jaiswal’s desire to be a wicketkeeper. Jaffer underlined the tough wicketkeeping situation in Indian cricket, questioning whether Jaiswal has the foundation to acquire this skill.

In preparation for the 2026-2027 Ranji Trophy season, Mumbai batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, 24, is looking into wicketkeeping. Jaiswal’s decision to keep wickets for nearly ten overs during one of Mumbai’s practice matches and broadcast recordings from a match simulation on social media garnered attention.

Jaiswal’s Mumbai teammate, Siddhesh Lad, offered light on the batter’s motivation. According to Lad, Jaiswal is eager to polish this skill in preparation for future opportunities. “He wants to eventually, in the future, keep wickets for maybe Mumbai or go on to keep wickets for the Indian team.” Mumbai captain Lad stated to reporters earlier this week, “I feel that way, but I don’t have any clarity on that.”

Wasim Jaffer was surprised by the wicketkeeping decision.

Wasim Jaffer went into greater detail about his concerns, emphasising that wicketkeeping is a skill that requires time to learn. He encouraged the left-handed batter to focus on his batting because he will be opening for India in a two-match Test series against New Zealand beginning next month.

Although Jaiswal is a well-known part of India’s Test team, he only appears on the fringes of the T20I squad and is a backup to Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli in ODIs. Jaiswal has been practicing leg-spin in the Indian team nets in addition to batting, and he has rolled his arm over a few times.

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On Sunday, October 11, Mumbai will face Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy opener at Wankhede Stadium. Jaiswal will be unavailable from the second game forward due to national duties.