CHENNAI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, the opening batsman for India in the Tests, has made the unexpected decision to move from Mumbai to Goa for the next domestic season. In order to at least recruit a few players for the next season, the Goa Cricket Association acknowledged the significant change and said that it is still in contact with up to ten players. Jaiswal might captain the Goa team based on his availability after his national service, according to GCA secretary Shamba Desai.

After winning the Plate Group this season, Goa was just promoted to the Elite Group for the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy. An affiliated unit of the BCCI may include up to three professionals from outside its jurisdiction in the senior men’s and women’s teams, in accordance with the BCCI’s guest player regulations.

According to the GCA secretary, “GCA approached Yashasvi 8-10 days ago and he also expressed his interest in making the switch,” this newspaper said. According to the regulations, the interested player must get a no-objection certificate from his current association and letter the BCCI secretary explaining his desire to switch associations.

According to a representative of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Jaiswal’s move was verified, and the state unit granted his request.

Although Jaiswal’s desire to be captain was cited as the primary driver of his unexpected move, others with knowledge of the situation said that it was not the only factor in the 23-year-old cricket player’s startling choice.

“A senior colleague questioned his shot selection in the second innings of the group match against Jammu & Kashmir. Jaiswal also responded and questioned the teammate’s shot selection in the first innings, which sparked a confrontation between the two, according to a source.

In addition to being his last encounter for the domestic heavyweights, Jaiswal scored four and twenty-six runs in the first and second innings of the match. He reportedly showed up for the quarterfinal match against Vidarbha as well, but was unable to participate due to an injury.

Jaiswal’s tense connection with several of his Mumbai colleagues was brought to light by yet another incident in the past. During the Duleep Trophy final versus South Zone in September 2022, West Zone captain Ajinkya Rahane removed him off the field for disciplinary grounds.

Focus on transfer regulations

The names of Hyderabad’s Tilak Varma and Mumbai’s Suryakumar Yadav were circulating since they may have two more guest players, but the Goa secretary did not confirm or deny it. “I cannot reveal names at this juncture but once the move is finalised, the names can be made public,” he said.

By the way, two years ago at its annual general meeting in Goa, the BCCI determined that state associations could not pay its guest players more. According to the regulations, these players are only eligible to receive match money, same as other domestic cricket players. It would be intriguing to see what, if anything, can convince more veteran cricket players to go to less well-known teams like Goa and become pros.