April 6, 2025: Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer expressed surprise over Yashasvi Jaiswal’s decision to leave Mumbai and switch to Goa for the upcoming 2025-26 domestic cricket season. Jaiswal, one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket, has made a mark with his consistent performances for Mumbai in domestic cricket, including a stellar run in the Ranji Trophy.
Jaffer, known for his insightful opinions, was candid about Jaiswal’s decision during an interview. He emphasized that, at the age of 23, Jaiswal should be focusing on representing India across all formats, rather than continuing his domestic career with Mumbai or considering a switch to Goa.
“He shouldn’t be looking to play Ranji Trophy. For somebody like him, he should be playing for India in all three formats. That should be his focus,” Jaffer said. He further added that moving from Mumbai, especially at this stage in his career, was not the right move for Jaiswal. “No matter what Goa was offering him, you don’t leave Mumbai, especially at this age. It’s okay if somebody is 34-35, but not when you’re 23,” Jaffer added.
Jaiswal, who has been a fixture in Mumbai’s domestic cricket side since his early days, has achieved remarkable success. His record in first-class cricket is exceptional, with 3,712 runs at an average of 60.85, including 13 centuries. His most notable performances include a crucial role in Mumbai’s run to the Ranji Trophy final in the 2021-22 season, where he scored 498 runs in just three matches.
However, Jaiswal’s decision to switch from a top-tier team like Mumbai to Goa, a relatively less competitive team that has only recently gained entry into the elite group of Indian domestic teams, has raised eyebrows. Jaffer believes Jaiswal’s potential is best utilized by playing in a stronger team, where his development and exposure to high-level competition would be more beneficial. “For him to go and play there, whatever time he will spend on first-class cricket, I am surprised he’s taken that decision so soon,” Jaffer said.
Jaiswal’s exceptional performances in domestic cricket have also extended to limited-overs formats, where he has been consistent across List-A and T20 competitions. He has scored 1,526 runs in 33 List-A games at an average of 52.62 and 3,012 runs in T20s at an average of 31.05, with a strike rate of over 149. His performances in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals have also been impressive, and his recent knock of 67 runs against Punjab Kings highlights his growing confidence in T20 cricket.
With Jaiswal showing promise at the IPL level, Jaffer believes that his focus should be on breaking into the Indian team for all formats rather than making a move within domestic cricket. Jaiswal’s ability to make an impact on the international stage is evident, and his next steps should align with that ambition.
In conclusion, while Jaiswal’s move to Goa might be a personal decision, Wasim Jaffer believes that his talents are best suited for the international stage, where he can continue his growth and aspirations of playing for India in all formats of the game.