Credit: BCCI
Indian opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal had a prolific England tour with the bat, scoring 411 runs with two centuries. The cricketing culture of Mumbai has produced players like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rohit Sharma who have represented the Indian team at an international level. However, this depth of cricketing talent and intense competition in the past has reportedly prompted some players to represent other teams at the domestic level. Yashasvi was also set to represent Goa at the Ranji Trophy but he reversed his decision later.
Reports claim that Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma personally advised 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal to remain with the Mumbai domestic team, underscoring the pride, prestige, and legacy associated with representing the cricketing powerhouse. The president of Mumbai Cricket Association Ajinkya Naik reportedly confirmed Rohit’s role in making Yashasvi stay at Mumbai. “Rohit told Yashasvi that there’s a lot of pride and prestige in playing for a team like Mumbai,” the MCA President said, quoting Rohit. “He also reminded him that he must not forget it’s Mumbai which gave him a platform to show his talent,” he said in a report by Mumbai Mirror.
Mumbai domestic team is a 41-time Ranji Trophy champion
Yashasvi Jaiswal reportedly moved to Mumbai as a teenager, living in a tent at Azad Maidan while honing his skills in the city’s cricketing circuits. With his determination and extraordinary talent were spotted he soon made his mark in Mumbai’s domestic setup. Jaiswal’s breakthrough came in the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he smashed a double century, becoming the youngest Indian to achieve the feat in List A cricket. Yashasvi, since his debut in 2019 has slammed 4233 runs for Mumbai in his First Class career, scoring 15 centuries and 15 fifties at an excellent average of 56.44. As of now he has not publicly commented on the conversation of his plans regarding his domestic career.
Rohit’s advice to Jaiswal also underscores the emotional and cultural significance of representing Mumbai. The city’s cricketing history is steeped in tradition, where countless players have honed their craft. Rohit himself began his career playing for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and went on to lead the team to multiple titles. Mumbai’s domestic team, a 41-time Ranji Trophy champion, is known for its reportedly high standards and intense competition. While this environment has produced some of India’s greatest cricketers, it can also be daunting for young players vying for limited spots.
