Mumbai: Young cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal has shocked the sports world by resigning from Mumbai to play for Goa in the 2025-26 domestic cricket season. On April 1, he sent a letter to the Mumbai Cricket Association expressing his desire to switch sides, and they promptly sanctioned it. He claims that a better prospect motivated his decision to become Goa’s captain. This sudden shift, right in the middle of the IPL season, has left fans and analysts stunned.
Reports suggest that Jaiswal’s decision wasn’t just about a new role. Trouble had been brewing for a while between him and Mumbai’s domestic team captain, Ajinkya Rahane, a veteran of the Indian cricket team. Sources indicate that their tumultuous relationship began way back in 2022 in a match when Rahane had sent Jaiswal off the field for sledging South Zone batsman Ravi Teja. Rahane felt that Jaiswal had overstepped on-field discipline. As a retaliatory measure, Jaiswal came back in the second innings and hit a phenomenal 265 runs off 323 balls with 30 fours and 4 sixes.
The pressure wasn’t over. Last season, Jaiswal struggled at the crease during a Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Jammu & Kashmir. Mumbai incurred a historic loss, and its team management, headed by coach Omkar Salvi and captain Rahane, lambasted his performance and questioned his motivation. Things really took a heated turn when an angry Jaiswal allegedly kicked Rahane’s kitbag for putting him under constant pressure. This seems to have been the pivotal moment.
Media reports, including one from India Today, reveal that Jaiswal was unhappy with Mumbai’s setup for some time. He felt the management unfairly targeted him, especially after poor performances, and kept him under constant scrutiny. Even earlier, during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy two seasons ago, the management repeatedly criticised his shot selection, making him feel unfairly singled out. Exasperated by the circumstances, Jaiswal made the decision to leave Mumbai and begin anew with Goa.