Yashasvi Jaiswal for India (Source: AFP Photos)Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s go-to opener for Tests, will play the first match in Ranji Trophy 2026/27 for Mumbai. And don’t be surprised if he takes the big gloves in hand behind the stumps for wicket-keeping responsibilities.Mumbai’s newly appointed captain Siddhesh Lad was addressing the media on Thursday. There, he confirmed that Jaiswal has been taking wicket-keeping role seriously, not just for Mumbai but for his future for India as well.Lad Confirms Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Wicket-Keeping PracticeYashasvi Jaiswal, who has played 31 Tests, six ODIs and 23 T20Is for India, has never kept wickets in the international level. Occasionally, he rolled his arms when captains asked him to bowl, as he has 36 deliveries across formats for India.However, Lad mentioned Yashasvi Jaiswal’s wicket-keeping could be his alternative future, as he has been spending hours during practice sessions to unlock his new skill."Yashasvi Jaiswal is keeping wickets in practice. He is developing his wicketkeeping skills ..maybe in future you will see him keep wickets for Mumbai & also India," Lad told reporters.Mumbai will have Ayush Mhatre as vice-captain for Ranji Trophy 2026/27 opener when they face Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium from October 11. On the other hand, India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, who wanted to play for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy, has been ignored.Why Is Jaiswal Taking Wicket-Keeping Role SeriouslyKeeping wickets in Test cricket has always been a tough job. It takes too much for anyone to keep the concentration hours after hours and then do the batting as well.Due to workload management, even the players who opens in white-ball cricket, decides to come lower down the order in Tests. Take Adam Gilchrist for example.if Jaiswal’s wicket-keeping becomes the future for India, he might need to demote himself as well. However, the bigger purpose of Jaiswal taking over the gloves is his questionable form in recent times in red-ball cricket.Jaiswal still has impressive Test numbers, averaging 47.49 after 57 innings, tallying 2612 runs with seven 100+ scores and 13 half-centuries. However, wicket-keeping would secure his place in India’s playing XI even further, not just in Tests but in white-ball formats as well.ALSO READU19 Asia Cup 2026 Schedule Revealed, India vs Pakistan Match On November 8
