New Delhi: In a shock switch, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has submitted an application to leave Mumbai, his domestic team that helped him shape into an international-level cricketer, citing personal reasons.
Jaiswal wrote an application to the Mumbai Cricket Association on Tuesday, expressing his wish to leave Mumbai for Goa. The governing body in Mumbai cricket has accepted his request.
Jaiswal’s stunning move will see the left-handed opener play for Goa from the 2025-26 season.
“Yes, it is surprising. He must have thought of something to make such a move. He has requested us to relieve him, and we have accepted his request,” an MCA official told PTI on Wednesday.
Possible reasons behind Jaiswal’s decision
The reason for Jaiswal’s shock move remains unknown, but it hints at his desire to be in a leadership role and take a fresh challenge. Goa has secured a promotion to the Ranji Elite Group and could benefit greatly from Jaiswal’s international experience.
His move to leave a team that made him a cricketer that he is an unapologetically bold. After all, it was in the maidans of Mumbai where a young kid from Uttar Pradesh began dreaming big. From living in tents to selling Pani Puris, Jaiswal overcame numerous obstacles in pursuit of his dream.
Jaiswal’s bold move focused on overall development
The decision to leave a city and the team that gave him the platform to showcase his talent must have been a hard one for Jaiswal, but he took the emotional attachment out of the equation to make a bold move, which seems to laser-focus on his overall development as a cricketer.
The talented left-hander last played for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir in their Ranji Trophy Group A league round match from January 23-25 after the BCCI implemented strict guidelines for all India players to play domestic cricket if not on national duty.
In his sole appearance in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, Jaiswal scored 4 and 26 as Mumbai lost by five wickets to Jammu and Kashmir.
Jaiswal has cemented his spot as India’s first-choice opener since making his Test debut against the West Indies in July 2023. The young star averages more than 52 in red-ball cricket, including four hundreds and 10 fifties.
Jaiswal, who has represented Mumbai since his U-19 days, burst onto the scene after hitting a double century for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2019 season. The then 17-year-old Jaiswal took domestic cricket by storm by becoming the youngest batter to score a double ton in List A cricket, hitting 203 off 154 balls against Jharkhand.
Following his big move, Jaiswal follows the footsteps of players like Arjun Tendulkar and Siddhesh Lad, who also have made Mumbai-to-Goa switches in their careers.
He bids adieu to Mumbai after playing 36 First-Class and 33 List-A matches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the India opener, surprisingly left his home team Mumbai for Goa, effective 2025-26. His decision, attributed to personal reasons marks a significant shift in domestic cricket. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
