Following India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s move to shockingly switch from Mumbai to Goa due to personal reasons, the star batter revealed the reason behind his choice on Wednesday.
“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,” Yashasvi Jaiswal told The Indian Express.
“Goa has thrown me a new opportunity and it has offered me a leadership role. My first goal will be to do well for India and whenever I’m not on national duty, I will be playing for Goa and try to make them go deep into the tournament. This was an (important) opportunity which came my way and I just took it.”
Mumbai Managements Potential Faultout with Yashasvi Jaiswal
However, a report by news agency PTI, has given an entirely different reason. “It is also believed Jaiswal’s decision to move to Goa could be due to his displeasure with the Mumbai team management,” the report said.
“In the contest against J&K last season, sources said Jaiswal had a rift with a senior member of the side in the second innings after the latter questioned his shot selection as Mumbai were battling to save the game. In reply, Jaiswal shot back at the senior questioning his shot in the first innings.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal sent a letter to the Mumbai Cricket Association indicating that he wanted to move from Mumbai to Goa. The Board promptly accepted the letter sent by Jaiswal for the same. Jaiswal’s dramatic switch will have the left-handed 23-year-old play for Goa from the 2025-26 season. Although the captaincy decision is uncertain it seems highly likely that he would be contender.
“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,” a senior MCA official said.
From Hardships to Cricketing Stardom
While Jaiswal catapulted himself up the ranks in Mumbai cricket to become one of the brightest batsmen in the nation. Who rightfully got a place in the national team, it wasn’t all easy going for the young man. Having shifted from his native Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh at the tender age of 12 to chase his cricketing ambition.
Jaiswal experienced a series of tribulations. He used to spend nights sleeping in a tent before he was noticed by coach Jwala Singh. Afterwhich he took him under his wing and nurtured his game. In September 2022, Jaiswal was dismissed off the field by West Zone captain Ajinkya Rahane in the final of the Duleep Trophy for disciplinary reasons.
Jaiswal had hit a double century 265 off 323 balls with 30 fours and four sixes in the second innings of the match. But to him sledging a South Zone batsman Ravi Teja he was sent off the field. Standing close to the batter, Jaiswal was said to have hurled verbal volleys at Teja. During the 57th over, one of the umpires on the field had a word with Jaiswal regarding his sledging. After this incident Rahane had a word with his teammate who seemed agitated before he left the field.
“He wants to play for us and we welcome him. He will be playing for us from the next season,” Goa Cricket Association’s secretary Shamba Desai told PTI talking about Jaiswal’s move.