Yashasvi Jaiswal practises wicketkeeping during Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match vs Chandigarh

Jaiswal was dismissed for a 13-ball duck in the first innings and will hope for better returns when he comes out to bat again.    | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini

Yashasvi Jaiswal was seen doing wicketkeeping drills during the Lunch break on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Chandigarh.

Jaiswal’s move follows Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad’s comments before the game when he revealed Jaiswal was trying hard to fit into the role.

“That’s what I heard from him,” Lad told reporters on Thursday.

“And he wants to eventually, in future, keep wickets for maybe Mumbai or go on to keep wickets for the Indian team, is what he is aiming for. That is what I feel, but I haven’t got any clarity on that,” the Mumbai captain added.

Jaiswal’s desire to keep wickets has not been received well by everybody. Wasim Jaffer was the most staunch critic, calling it a joke and a sign of desperation to break into India’s white-ball teams.

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I think he needs to focus on his batting ahead of the Ranji Trophy and the New Zealand tour. 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.

Jaiswal was dismissed for a 13-ball duck in the first innings and will hope for better returns when he comes out to bat again. It remains to be seen if he will don the keeper gloves when Mumbai come out to bowl.