India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has broken silence on shifting his domestic base from Mumbai to Goa. The news of the southpaw leaving the most successful Ranji Trophy team shocked the Indian cricket fraternity on Wednesday (April 2).
In an exclusive chat with The Indian Express, Jaiswal admitted that it was a “tough” decision for him to leave the Mumbai team, but the leadership opportunity offered by Goa is not something he wanted to miss out on.
"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," Jaiswal said.
"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," he added.
Meanwhile, a report published in PTI suggests a totally 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."
Jaiswal, 23, wrote to the Mumbai Cricket Association on Tuesday, expressing his wish to leave Mumbai for Goa, and the governing body accepted his request.
"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.
While Jaiswal rose swiftly through the ranks in Mumbai cricket to emerge as one of the finest batting talents in the country, it wasn't always a smooth ride for the youngster.
In September 2022, the southpaw was sent off the field by West Zone skipper Ajinkya Rahane during the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone for disciplinary reasons.
Jaiswal had smashed a double century (265 off 323 balls) in the second innings of that game but on the final day, Rahane sent him off the field for sledging South Zone batter Ravi Teja.
Jaiswal was reported to have fired verbal volleys at Teja while fielding at short leg. In the 57th over, one of the on-field umpires had warned Jaiswal over his sledging, following which Rahane had a word with his teammate who appeared animated before leaving 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.
(With PTI Inputs)
