Yashasvi Jaiswal who made his promising international cricketing career in Mumbai, has decided to leave Mumbai for Goa. The Indian Test opener has sought No Objection Certificate from the Mumbai Cricket Association, expressing his wish to leave Mumbai domestic team for Goa in an email, and the city's governing body has reportedly accepted his request.
The left-handed 23-year-old cricketer, who burst on the scene as a 17-year-old with a double hundred for Mumbai against Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over) in 2019, has cited personal reasons for the switch to Goa. However, It has become a talking point on social media with many suspecting that the cricketer must be hurt with something which prompted him such a sudden move to Goa from 42-time Ranji champions Mumbai, at the peak of his career. Goa played in the plate division of Ranji Trophy last season, and won the title to earn promotion to the elite division.
Mumbai born Arjun Tendulkar is already playing for Goa after having represented Mumbai cricket team at the junior levels. Senior Mumbai cricketer Siddhesh Lad also made a brief appearance for Goa before returning to Mumbai Ranji team last season.
"Someone needs to talk to him and find out what is it that made him take this decision and address it. Mumbai is the city that gave him the opportunity so why would he do it unless he's hurt about something," former Mumbai skipper Shishir Hattangadi reacted on X to the shocking development.
Jaiswal last played for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir at Bandra Kurla Complex in their Ranji Trophy Group A league round match from January 23-25 following the strict implementation of the BCCI directives that all India players should play domestic cricket if not on national duty This was following India's loss in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. It was his only appearance in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season scoring 4 and 26 as Mumbai lost by five wickets to Jammu and Kashmir for the second time in the tournament's history.
He is now set to play for Goa from the 2025-26 season and reportedly may also be considered for captaincy of the domestic team. But given Jaiswal is a regular in the Indian Test side, it remains to be seen how he can find a window from the busy international calendar to appear for Goa in the upcoming domestic season. The southpaw was India's top scorer during the bilateral home test series against England and came on top in Australia as well during the BGT series. He contributed to India's triumph in the ICC T20 World Cup also last year.
He also features in India's ODI plans and was part of India's preliminary ODI squad for the Champions Trophy before making way for mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
