Indian Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is seriously developing his wicketkeeping skills, according to Mumbai Ranji Trophy captain Siddhesh Lad. The revelation comes just as the 2026-27 domestic season begins,
with Jaiswal having shared social-media images and a reel of himself wearing the gloves during Mumbai’s pre-season practice and a match simulation. Siddhesh Lad confirmed the intent at a pre-season interaction on Thursday. “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 go on to keep wickets for the Indian team. That’s what he is aiming for. I haven’t got any clarity on that,” the veteran Mumbai batter said.
Jaiswal even kept wickets for around 10 overs in one practice match. Lad later said “Maybe he wants to add value to his core strength that is batting. He kept wickets in one of our practice matches. I don’t have any idea what his plans are but adding a new dimension to your core cricketing skills is not bad. Who knows when and where a chance would arise. He does batting anyway and keeping can add value to his cricket.” He also noted that Jaiswal has been practising because “he feels he wants to add something more to his game.” he added.
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While Jaiswal is a regular in India’s Test side, white-ball opportunities remain limited. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill occupy the ODI top order, and the T20I opening spots are crowded with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and emerging talents. Adding glovework could give him greater versatility and a longer international career. He has previously bowled part-time leg-spin, showing a consistent desire to expand his skill set beyond batting.
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Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Start date, Mumbai and the early picture
The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy begins on 11 October 2026, with the first phase running until early November and a second phase after the white-ball domestic tournaments in January–February 2027. Knockouts will follow later and the tournament features 38 teams split into Elite groups and a Plate division, continuing the two-phase format that allows space for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in between. Jaiswal’s availability for Mumbai’s opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium shows his commitment to domestic cricket. He proactively contacted selectors to confirm he wanted to play the match before national duties.
Mumbai are the most successful side in the competition’s history with 42 titles will open their campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium from 11–14 October. Siddhesh Lad captains the side in his first full season as skipper, with 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre named vice-captain. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Tushar Deshpande are available for the first match; Jaiswal will then depart for national commitments and miss subsequent games. Former captain Shardul Thakur is sidelined by a finger injury for at least the opening round, while Ajinkya Rahane has retired from all forms. Mumbai sit in Elite Group D alongside Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Railways and Chandigarh
