Deep Dasgupta questions Yashasvi Jaiswal's wicketkeeping switch
Deep Dasgupta questioned why Yashasvi Jaiswal has begun wicketkeeping practice, calling the move irrational and unnecessary given India's existing options.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has criticised Yashasvi Jaiswal's decision to begin wicketkeeping practice during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season. Dasgupta said the move raises questions about why Jaiswal feels the need to add the skill and how serious his intent is. He argued that a player cannot simply wake up one morning and declare an intention to keep wickets for India.
Jaiswal, who has established himself as India's Test opener but has played only 29 white-ball internationals since his T20I debut in 2023, practised glovework during Mumbai's match against Chandigarh. Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad confirmed the 24-year-old wants to keep wickets for India and Mumbai, despite never keeping in age-group cricket. Jaiswal scored a 13-ball duck in that game.
Former selector MSK Prasad also advised against the move, noting that previous players who took up wicketkeeping had kept until Under-19 level. Prasad said India already has multiple specialist keepers and opening batters including Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson, making the addition of a new keeper unnecessary.
CricHubb Take
The decision to experiment with wicketkeeping suggests Jaiswal sees his white-ball path blocked, which reveals more about selection patterns than about his own versatility.