In a move that has stunned Indian domestic cricket circles, Yashasvi Jaiswal has officially parted ways with the Mumbai cricket team and is set to represent Goa from the 2025-26 season.
The young left-handed opener, widely regarded as one of Mumbai’s brightest cricketing products in recent times, requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), confirming his intention to switch states.
Goa, recently promoted to the elite group of the Ranji Trophy, now gains a player of international calibre in Jaiswal-though the circumstances behind the shift are far more complex than they appear on the surface.
A Leadership Offer, but More Beneath the Surface
While Jaiswal attributed his decision to an opportunity for leadership with the Goa side, reports by India Today suggest that the move is rooted in deeper dissatisfaction with the Mumbai setup. The batter stated, “Goa has thrown me a new opportunity, and it has offered me a leadership role. My first goal will be to do well for India, and whenever I’m not on national duty, I will be playing for Goa and try to take them deep into the tournament.”
However, sources close to the situation have revealed that Jaiswal had grown increasingly uncomfortable within the Mumbai dressing room over the last two years.
Strained Relations and Locker Room Tensions
One of the significant turning points in Jaiswal’s relationship with Mumbai cricket was a disciplinary spat with senior player Ajinkya Rahane. During a Duleep Trophy match in 2022, Rahane, then captaining the West Zone side, asked Jaiswal to leave the field due to aggressive on-field sledging-an incident that reportedly left a lingering rift between the two. Their relationship never fully recovered, and according to insiders, it gradually became untenable.
The friction wasn’t limited to Rahane. Jaiswal reportedly felt singled out by the Mumbai coaching staff, particularly regarding his shot selection during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. While such criticism might be seen as routine for a professional cricketer, Jaiswal is believed to have viewed it as a targeted attack on his style of play and intent.
The Breaking Point
The final blow in the crumbling relationship came during the 2024 Ranji Trophy season. In a high-profile encounter against Jammu and Kashmir at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Jaiswal-alongside Rohit Sharma-turned out for Mumbai. Surprisingly, J&K pulled off a historic win, and Jaiswal endured a poor run with the bat. In the aftermath of the defeat, reports say that Mumbai coach Omkar Salvi and Rahane openly questioned Jaiswal’s commitment. Frustrated by what he perceived as unjust criticism, Jaiswal allegedly reacted by kicking Rahane’s kitbag in the dressing room-a moment that, according to India Today, marked the breaking point.