Yashasvi Jaiswal’s surprising decision to move from Mumbai to Goa in domestic cricket was reportedly due to a strained relationship with Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane. Yashasvi Jaiswal allegedly kicked Rahane’s kit bag in frustration during the 2025 Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir.
Jaiswal struggled with the bat in his last appearance for Mumbai. He scored only 4 and 26 runs in a disappointing loss to Jammu & Kashmir, where Mumbai were bowled out for 120 runs and 290 runs in the two innings. The southpaw missed the semi-final clash against Vidarbha due to an ankle injury.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Kicked Ajinkya Rahane’s Kit Bag in Frustration – Report
As per a report by India Today, captain Ajinkya Rahane and coach Omkar Salvi questioned Jaiswal’s commitment after the loss to Jammu & Kashmir. The young batter was left furious after feeling wrongly targeted by Mumbai chief selector Sanjay Patil. Jaiswal kicked Rahane’s kit bag in the dressing room.
Yashasvi Jaiswal requested a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Cricket Association to join Goa, a team set to compete in the Elite Group from the 2025–26 season.
Speaking to The Indian Express, the opening batter stated that the move was motivated by the leadership role the Goa team offered him.
Mumbai Needs Match-Winners – Chief Selector Sanjay Patil
The report also stated that Patil expressed his disappointment with the result. He mentioned that several players returning from India duty need to give their full commitment.
“I’m still upset at the J&K defeat, which I feel was our worst ever. To accommodate the Indian players in that match, we had to deprive a few talented youngsters,” Patil had said.
“Mumbai needs players who can perform and make the side win games, something which was missing in that match. The Indian players need to realise it’s not just about being ‘available’ for that game. Mumbai Cricket culture has always been about giving your 100% when you are playing for Mumbai.”
Tensions Between Ajinkya Rahane and Yashasvi Jaiswal Began in 2022
The report stated that the relationship between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ajinkya Rahane seemingly started to strain in 2022. Their rift is believed to have begun during the Duleep Trophy final, when Rahane, leading West Zone, asked Jaiswal to leave the field for repeatedly sledging South Zone batter Ravi Teja.
It reportedly continued into the domestic T20 circuit, where Jaiswal felt unfairly blamed by the Mumbai team management for shot selection during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy two seasons ago. The report stated that these past incidents were also reasons behind Jaiswal’s decision to change his domestic team.
Jaiswal began his first-class career with Mumbai in 2019. He played 36 matches and amassed 3,712 runs at an average of 60.85. He earned his Test cap for India in 2023 against the West Indies, where he scored a century on debut. Jaiswal scored 391 runs in five Tests at an average of 43.44 in Australia.
