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The Indian cricket fraternity is abuzz with speculation following reports that Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of the country’s brightest young talents, allegedly kicked the kitbag of Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane in a moment of frustration during the 2025 Ranji Trophy season. The incident has added fuel to rumors of a deepening rift between the two players, culminating in Jaiswal’s reported decision to leave Mumbai for Goa ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season. While neither party has officially confirmed the event, the story has taken the cricketing world by storm, raising questions about team dynamics, leadership, and Jaiswal’s future.
Yashasvi Jaiswal kicked Ajinkya Rahane’s kitbag?
According to sources close to the Mumbai dressing room as reported by India Today, the alleged altercation took place following Mumbai’s loss to Jammu and Kashmir in a group-stage match of the Ranji Trophy. Jaiswal, who has been a standout performer for India and Mumbai in recent years, struggled in the game, scoring just 4 and 26 across the two innings.
The defeat reportedly left the team in a tense mood, with captain Rahane and head coach Omkar Salvi questioning Jaiswal’s commitment and shot selection. Frustrated by the criticism, Jaiswal is said to have lashed out by kicking Rahane’s kitbag, an act that stunned onlookers and underscored the growing tension within the squad.
Though unverified by official statements, the incident has been widely discussed in cricketing circles, with some suggesting it was the breaking point in an already strained relationship between the young opener and his captain.
Also READ: Yashasvi Jaiswal breaks silence on changing his domestic team – From Mumbai To Goa
A history of friction
The roots of this alleged fallout trace back to 2022, during the Duleep Trophy final between West Zone and South Zone. Jaiswal, then a rising star, scored a match-defining double century but found himself at odds with Rahane, who was captaining West Zone. Rahane sent Jaiswal off the field for excessive sledging against South Zone’s Ravi Teja, a decision that reportedly left the youngster humiliated despite his stellar performance. The episode was seen as a disciplinary move by Rahane, but it sowed the seeds of discord between the two.
Since then, Jaiswal’s aggressive playing style and occasional lapses in discipline have reportedly been points of contention with the Mumbai team management, including Rahane and Salvi. Insiders claim that the 2025 Ranji season saw these tensions boil over, with the kitbag incident serving as a dramatic manifestation of their differences.
Jaiswal’s move to Goa: A new chapter
Perhaps the most significant fallout from this saga is Jaiswal’s decision to part ways with Mumbai, the team that nurtured his early career, and join Goa for the 2025-26 domestic season. The move has shocked fans and analysts alike, given Mumbai’s storied legacy and Jaiswal’s deep ties to the side.
The switch has fueled speculation that Jaiswal sought an escape from the scrutiny and perceived lack of support in Mumbai, with the kitbag incident potentially acting as the final straw.
