Former India opening batsman and veteran Mumbai cricketer Wasim Jaffer has questioned Yashasvi Jaiswal's decision to practice wicketkeeping and advised him to focus on his batting. Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad had told on Thursday (October 8) that apart from batting and leg spin, Yashasvi is also working on wicketkeeping as an additional skill. Pictures of him practicing behind the wicket before the 2026-27 season of Ranji Trophy were also revealed.
Jaffer said on his YouTube channel that if a player has not done wicketkeeping since childhood, then it can be very difficult for him to adopt this role. He also raised the question as to why Yashasvi feels the need of wicketkeeping to make a place in the Indian limited overs team, when there are options like Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant for this role.
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There is no place for Yashasvi even as a wicketkeeper – Jaffer
Jafar said, 'When I heard this, I myself was surprised. If you have not done wicketkeeping since childhood, then it is a very difficult task. This is also a very tiring responsibility. Even if he starts wicketkeeping, where will he get a place? Kishan, Samson and Pant are present. I think he wants to do this to make a place in white ball cricket.
Jaffer, the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy, believes that wicketkeeping in Test cricket is very challenging. According to him, it is not easy to develop the skills required for this role in a short period of time. He advised Yashasvi to focus on his batting before India's tour of New Zealand next month.
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'Wicketkeeping is difficult in test cricket'
Jaffer said, 'Wicketkeeping is very difficult in Test cricket. I think it's a bit of a joke, because if you haven't kept wicket since childhood, it's not an easy job. It's not a skill you can develop in a short period of time.' He said, 'I think he is in too much of a hurry to get a place in the limited overs team. He should focus on his batting before Ranji Trophy and New Zealand tour.
Yashasvi will play in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Due to joining Team India, he will not be able to play in the next match of Mumbai. It is being told that before the domestic season, he also kept wickets for about 10 overs in a practice match in Mumbai.