Yashasvi Jaiswal Quits Mumbai, Joins Goa for Fresh Opportunity

One of the biggest Indian domestic cricket switches occurred on Wednesday, April 2, when young Indian batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal chose to quit Mumbai and join Goa for the new 2025–26 domestic season.Jaiswal, who is merely 23 years of age, had made an application to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This follows Goa having been promoted to the Ranji Trophy's elite group from the Plate division.

While some cricketers in the past left Mumbai because they got fewer playing opportunities, Jaiswal's departure is a different story. He was thought of as a future star from Mumbai and possibly the captain in the future. However, there wasn't any hasty decision made.

Why Did Jaiswal Leave Mumbai?

This step was under consideration for almost two years, according to sources familiar with the development. Jaiswal had grown dissatisfied with the team culture in Mumbai. The major problem was his strained relationship with senior player Ajinkya Rahane.

Disciplinary Clash in 2022
In 2022, during a match of Duleep Trophy, Rahane, captain of the West Zone team, requested Jaiswal to go off the field for aggressive sledging on Ravi Teja, a South Zone batter. That episode allegedly strained their relationship.

Criticism and Blame
Later, Jaiswal was dissatisfied with the way the team management criticized his shot choice in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Whether the criticism was justified or not, Jaiswal believed that he was being unfairly targeted.

YASHASVI JAISWAL ABOUT THE GOA MOVE: [@pdevendra from Express Sports]

“It was a very tough decision for me - Whatever I am today is because of Mumbai - The city has made me who I am, and all my life, I will be indebted to the MCA - Goa has thrown me a new opportunity and it has… pic.twitter.com/z0Ab13BlTf

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 2, 2025

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Final Straw – Ranji Trophy Match vs J&K
Things took a turn for the worse in a Ranji Trophy match at BKC between Jammu & Kashmir and Mumbai, where both Rohit Sharma and Jaiswal were playing for Mumbai. Even with star players, Mumbai lost the game, and Jaiswal performed poorly.

Following the loss, both Rahane and Coach Omkar Salvi are said to have questioned Jaiswal's commitment, which upset the young batter. Frustrated, Jaiswal allegedly kicked Rahane's kitbag, a moment that indicated how strained things were.

To further add to the tension, Mumbai chief selector Sanjay Patil issued a statement following the defeat, which Jaiswal felt was indirectly placing the blame on him.