‘I Can Bat At 3 Or At 5’: Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Mumbai Indians To Opt For Flexibility Approach in IPL 2025

Team India's T20I skipper and Mumbai Indians star Suryakumar Yadav has emphasized that the franchise would be looking forward to the flexibility approach, something which he has implemented in Team India's T20I set-up after he pushed Tilak Varma ahead in certain games. SKY added that he would be eager to drop down in position to hand Tilak the opportunity once again in the IPL 2025 season.

Suryakumar Yadav Hints Upon MI's Strategy For the IPL 2025 Season 

Mumbai Indians would be aiming for a turnaround after the IPL 2024 season didn't go their way. Hardik Pandya endured several challenges while leading MI in the previous season, and they look to put it all behind them and freshly begin their hunt. To do so, the team is expected to go for a flexible strategy, and Suryakumar Yadav expressed the same. He also pointed out Tilak Varma's hard work and determination, which earned him a promotion in Team India's batting order.

"So you might see guys being flexible during this season, during this stint with the IPL. And everyone is flexible. Even I can bat at 3, I can bat at 5, Tilak can bat at 5. So it's that flexibility we have in our team.

"It's always good to have that impact at the top. And I have seen that guy (Tilak), he has been working really hard. So for team India, I thought it will be better if he can bat number 3 and I can take the responsibility at number 4. Because for me, batting number doesn't matter. I bat the same way, try and make that impact whenever there is an opportunity and so does he (Tilak)," Suryakumar Yadav said at the pre-match press conference, as quoted by PTI.

Also Read: 'It Will Come Anytime': Suryakumar Yadav Confident To End His Run Drought Ahead Of CSK Tie In IPL 2025

Why Is Hardik Pandya Not A part Of MI's Season Opener Clash?

Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the Mumbai Indians in their season-opener clash against the Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The reason for the vice-captain being the stand-in skipper is due to Hardik Pandya's suspension.

Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians' regular skipper, is serving a one-match ban from the IPL 2024 season for a slow over-rate-related offence. Given that Mumbai could not make it to the playoffs, Pandya's ban was carried forward into the IPL 2025. Hardik will be back on the side for the away match against the Gujarat Titans on 29th March, 2025.

Also Read: KKR vs RCB: Sunil Narine Survives Bizarre Hit-Wicket Scare, Leaves Bengaluru Players Bamboozled In IPL 2025 Opener