Yashasvi Jaiswal’s decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season has surprised the cricketing fraternity. The young opener, who has been a consistent performer for Mumbai, has opted for this unexpected move despite being an automatic choice whenever available. Goa, newly promoted to the Ranji Trophy Elite Division, will now have Jaiswal leading their side, marking a significant shift in his domestic career.
Citing captaincy ambitions, Jaiswal applied for a No Objection Certificate from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Wednesday. MCA secretary Abhay Hadap acknowledged the decision, stating, “It is a little surprise for us, but we respect his decision. He must have thought hard about it.” Goa Cricket Association (GCA) secretary Shambu Desai confirmed that GCA initiated the approach, explaining, “We are promoted to the Ranji Trophy Elite Division and are developing a good squad for Goa and want to get the best talent available and hence we approached him recently.”
Jaiswal, at just 23, has already made a mark in international cricket with 1,798 runs in 19 Tests at an average of 52.88, including four centuries, two of which are double tons. His Test debut in 2023 against West Indies saw him score an impressive 171. His dominant performance against England at home, where he became the second Indian after Sunil Gavaskar to score 700-plus runs in a Test series, further solidified his credentials. He continued to shine on India’s last tour to Australia, amassing 391 runs with a match-winning 161 in Perth.
Despite his growing stature in international cricket, Jaiswal’s domestic appearances have been limited. He played just one Ranji match last season for Mumbai, scoring 4 and 26 against Jammu and Kashmir. The presence of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer did not prevent Mumbai from losing outright, leading to criticism. Jaiswal was set to feature in Mumbai’s Ranji semi-final against Vidarbha but had to withdraw due to an ankle injury. Addressing speculations, Hadap clarified, “He was very enthusiastic about playing the semifinal when I had called him to check about his availability. It was bad luck that he missed out due to injury.”
Historically, players have left Mumbai Cricket Association toward the later stages of their careers when securing a place in the XI became uncertain. However, Jaiswal’s decision is distinct as he is at the peak of his game. The move aligns with his aspirations for a leadership role, as confirmed by Desai: “Yashasvi will lead the Goa side. He will play whenever he is available. His name is a big boost for our team.”
Jaiswal’s cricketing journey is a testament to resilience and ambition. Arriving in Mumbai from Uttar Pradesh at the age of 11, he honed his skills in Azad Maidan, enduring hardships before breaking into the Mumbai senior side. His breakthrough came in the 2019 Vijay Hazare Trophy with standout performances, including a double century. He continued his rise with three consecutive hundreds in Mumbai’s 2021-22 Ranji campaign.
While domestic shifts are noteworthy, Jaiswal’s primary focus remains international cricket. A regular in India’s T20 setup and a strong contender for the ODI side, he is seen as a future mainstay, particularly as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli near the twilight of their careers. In the IPL, Jaiswal represents Rajasthan Royals but has had a slow start to the season with scores of 1, 29, and 4 in his first three matches.
His transition from Mumbai to Goa is a bold step that underscores his intent to take on new challenges. With leadership opportunities and a fresh team environment, Jaiswal’s journey in domestic cricket takes an intriguing turn, adding another chapter to his already inspiring career.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
