Sports · Cricket · 1 day ago
Wasim Jaffer urges Yashasvi Jaiswal to focus on batting, not wicketkeeping
India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been practising wicketkeeping with Mumbai ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season.
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad said Jaiswal hopes to develop the skill and could eventually keep wickets for Mumbai or India, though his plans are not clear.
Jaiswal is expected to play Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer said wicketkeeping is demanding and difficult to learn without experience from a young age.
He urged Jaiswal to focus on batting rather than divide his attention between the two skills.
Jaffer suggested the move may be an attempt to improve Jaiswal’s chances of joining India’s white-ball teams.
Jaiswal is established in Test cricket but has not secured a regular place in India’s ODI or T20I sides.
Wasim Jaffer urged Yashasvi Jaiswal to focus on batting rather than take up wicketkeeping.
Jaiswal has been working on wicketkeeping skills ahead of Mumbai’s 2026-27 domestic season.
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad said Jaiswal may hope to keep wickets for Mumbai or India, but Lad said he was not clear on Jaiswal’s plans.
Jaffer said wicketkeeping is demanding and difficult to learn without experience from a young age.
Jaffer suggested Jaiswal may be trying to improve his chances of joining India’s white-ball teams.
- Who
- India Test batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and former India opener Wasim Jaffer.
- What
- Jaffer urged Jaiswal to focus on batting rather than pursue wicketkeeping.
- When
- Ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season.
- Where
- Mumbai’s preparations for the Ranji Trophy; Jaiswal was seen wearing gloves in practice.
- Why
- Jaffer said wicketkeeping is demanding and difficult to learn quickly, and suggested Jaiswal may be trying to get into India’s white-ball teams.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
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 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.
Jaiswal began working on wicketkeeping skills during Mumbai’s preparations for the Ranji Trophy.
Captain Siddhesh Lad told reporters that Jaiswal was trying to develop his wicketkeeping skills.
Jaffer urged Jaiswal to focus on batting.
- Age
- Jaiswal is 24.
- Domestic season
- 2026-27.
- Practice
- Jaiswal reportedly kept wickets for around 10 overs in a Mumbai practice match.
- Ranji Trophy opener
- Mumbai were expected to play Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium.
- Possible wicketkeeping options
- Jaffer named Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant.
Sources
Wasim Jaffer urges Yashasvi Jaiswal to focus on batting, questions wicket-keeping move
Yashasvi Jaiswal's Wicketkeeping Step Slammed By Ex-India Star: "This Is A Joke"
‘Focus on your batting’: Wasim Jaffer questions Yashasvi Jaiswal’s wicketkeeping move
Yashasvi Jaiswal Criticised For Taking Up Wicketkeeping: 'It Is A Joke... Desperation'
‘It’s a joke’: Mumbai legend urges Jaiswal to focus on batting, not wicket-keeping
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