On Yashasvi Jaiswal's Wicketkeeping, Ex-BCCI Chief Selector's Blunt "Natural Instinct" Remark

Apart from batting, Yashasvi Jaiswal has also been working on his wicketkeeping skills.© X (formerly Twitter)

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been working on his wicketkeeping skills. Pictures of the player donning the wicketkeeping gloves ahead of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 had earlier gone viral on social media. Later, Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad revealed that Jaiswal has been working on wicketkeeping as a backup skill to batting and leg-spin. Former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad, who also played for India as a wicketkeeper, has advised the player not to get into such roles. He highlighted the need for a "natural instinct" in a player to become a wicketkeeper.

"Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn't need to get into wicketkeeping or other stuff. I mean, see, people earlier who got into wicketkeeping, like Rahul Dravid or KL Rahul, were all wicketkeepers till the Under-19 level," Prasad told Hindustan Times.

"Though in later stages they stopped doing wicketkeeping, that natural instinct still stayed with them."

While giving details of Jaiswal's wicketkeeping, Lad told PTI that Jaiswal was putting in the effort to play as a wicketkeeper-batter for Mumbai or the Indian team.

"With Yashasvi, I feel he is trying hard to start keeping wickets. That's what I heard from him. He wants to keep wickets for Mumbai or for the Indian team. That is what he is aiming for, that is what I feel, but I haven't got any clarity on that," the newly appointed Mumbai captain said.

Lad later said that Jaiswal, who also practises leg-spin in the Indian team's nets and has rolled his arm over in a couple of matches, wants to add more to his game.

"He is someone who has started practising wicketkeeping because he feels he wants to add something more to his game. I am not very sure what his intentions are but right now he is practising wicketkeeping, and if he keeps practising, he will get used to it," he said.

Jaiswal is said to have kept wicket for about 10 overs during one of Mumbai's practice matches ahead of the Ranji Trophy.

Lad said having Jaiswal would benefit the Mumbai team, which will be without their former captain Shardul Thakur, with former skipper Ajinkya Rahane also having retired from all forms of cricket before the start of the season.

"Someone like Yashasvi doesn't only add performances; he adds value to the team with his experience," Lad said.

"He is someone who has done really well at the highest level. Sharing a dressing room with someone like Yashasvi helps us and the youngsters, and we are looking forward to it," he said.

Mumbai beat Chandigarh by an innings and 155 runs in their Ranji Trophy season opener. Akash Anand was the designated wicketkeeper for the winning side in the game.

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