Jaiswal, 24, spent a brief 10‑over stint behind the stumps during Mumbai’s practice session, a move that sent shockwaves through the crowd and drew a sharp rebuke from former opener Wasim Jaffer.
Jaffer took to his YouTube channel to voice his concerns, calling the experiment a "joke" and warning that wicket‑keeping demands childhood practice and relentless preparation.
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad said Jaiswal was exploring wicket‑keeping as a backup, hinting at a future for Mumbai or even India, but admitted the plan was still tentative.
The 24‑year‑old, whose Test average sits at 38.5, still struggles to cement a spot in India’s ODI and T20I sides, prompting Jaffer to urge a return to pure batting focus.
Jaiswal will feature in Mumbai’s first Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh at Wankhede on Sunday, a game that could decide whether the wicket‑keeping experiment stays a footnote or becomes a career pivot.