Known as one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket, Jaiswal has reportedly written to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) requesting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the transfer.

A product of the Mumbai cricket system since his Under-19 days, Jaiswal’s decision appears to be driven by personal reasons, according to sources within the MCA. If the transfer proceeds as planned, he will don the Goa jersey in the upcoming domestic season, following the footsteps of Arjun Tendulkar and Siddhesh Lad, who have also made similar moves in recent years.

The Goa Cricket Association has welcomed the left-handed opener, with its secretary Shamba Desai confirming the development. Desai also hinted at the possibility of Jaiswal being handed the captaincy when available, citing his stature as a current India international.

Struggles in IPL 2025 highlight need for domestic reset

Jaiswal has been enduring a rough patch in the ongoing IPL 2025 season with Rajasthan Royals. In three games, the dynamic opener has managed only 34 runs at an average of 11.33 and a strike rate of 106.25. His scores so far — 1, 29, and 4 — reflect his struggles, particularly during the powerplay.

Statistically, his vulnerability in the early overs has grown. Since IPL 2024, Jaiswal has been dismissed eight times in the first three overs out of 18 innings — a 44% dismissal rate. This is a notable increase from the 29% rate observed during IPL 2022 and 2023, where he was one of the top performers with 625 runs in the latter season.

Even in IPL 2024, his returns were decent but not up to his usual standards, with 435 runs at an average of 31.07 and a strike rate nearing 156. However, he registered only one century and one fifty, indicating inconsistency.

Additionally, his attacking shot percentage has dropped to 70% over the past two seasons — a dip compared to his more aggressive outings in 2022 and 2023.

Domestic cricket a new horizon for Jaiswal

Following BCCI’s mandate for national players to participate in domestic red-ball matches, Jaiswal returned to the Mumbai setup for the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy post his Test tour in Australia. However, the upcoming season will mark a new chapter as he prepares to represent Goa, potentially in a leadership role, adding both experience and star power to the squad.

Punjab Kings have begun their Indian Premier League 2025 campaign with back-to-back wins, and head coach Ricky Ponting is receiving high praise from the dressing room. Young stars Prabhsimran Singh and Nehal Wadhera have highlighted Ponting’s consistently positive approach as a major factor in the team’s confident performances.

The Australian legend’s new stint with Punjab Kings comes after a seven-year tenure with Delhi Capitals, and his start with PBKS couldn’t have been better. The team currently sits second on the points table after defeating Lucknow Super Giants by 8 wickets at the Ekana Stadium on April 1.

Ponting’s positivity leaves a mark

Speaking after the win, Nehal Wadhera was full of admiration for Ponting, calling him the “best coach” he has worked with. He credited Ponting’s all-positive communication for helping players stay confident and focused.

“He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with. I’ve never heard any negative talk from his mouth. That automatically boosts your confidence,” Wadhera said.

Prabhsimran Singh, who anchored the run chase with a crucial 69, echoed similar sentiments. He appreciated the support and trust Ponting shows to players, mentioning how the team is encouraged to play with a winning mindset.

“They ask us to go with just one mindset, and that is of winning. They have asked us to back our game,” said Prabhsimran.

A new chapter under Ponting-Iyer duo

Ponting’s arrival in Punjab coincided with the franchise making bold moves in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Combined with the leadership of new captain Shreyas Iyer, PBKS seem to have found a winning formula.

The recent victory against LSG saw a composed chase, with Prabhsimran providing the platform and Iyer-Wadhera finishing the match clinically. As the team builds momentum, the players’ appreciation for their head coach highlights the strong bond developing within the squad.

If Punjab Kings continue in this vein, they could very well emerge as serious contenders for the IPL 2025 title.

Following Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) second defeat in IPL 2025, franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen in an intense on-field conversation with team captain Rishabh Pant. The interaction, which came after the loss to Punjab Kings, drew parallels to a similar situation last season involving KL Rahul, further fueling discussions on social media.

Pant under scrutiny after slow start to IPL 2025

Rishabh Pant, who was acquired by LSG for ₹27 crore, has faced mounting criticism from fans for underwhelming performances with the bat and questionable decisions as captain. In the first three games, Pant has struggled to find form, prompting fans to label him a “Rs 27 crore flop” on social platforms.

The latest defeat saw Goenka once again stepping onto the field to speak with the team captain—reminiscent of his previous public exchange with KL Rahul. During the conversation, Goenka was even seen pointing fingers at Pant, although the exchange also included a few smiles, indicating a complex mix of frustration and encouragement.

This is not the first time this season that Goenka has had such a chat with Pant. A similar interaction took place after LSG’s opening game defeat to Delhi Capitals. While the team bounced back with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, the loss against Punjab Kings reignited tensions.

Pant admits team fell short with the bat

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Pant acknowledged that LSG’s batting effort fell short. “It (the total) wasn’t enough, we were 20-25 runs short, but that’s part and parcel of the game. Still assessing the conditions at our home ground,” he said.

Pant noted that early wickets and a slow pitch contributed to the team’s batting struggles. “It’s always going to be difficult to get a big total when you lose early wickets… We got to learn from this game and move forward. There are a lot of positives,” he added.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on Pant—not just for his individual performances, but also for how he handles leadership pressure amidst the high expectations and visible oversight from the franchise’s top brass.