He may have started his maiden appearance at the top of the batting order in Twenty20s with a memorably fifty at his home ground, but Suryakumar Yadav wasn't thrilled with his effort.
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After all, Mumbai Indians lost its third successive match of the Indian Premier League's eleventh edition. But the Mumbai Indians batsman was confident that the team will bounce back. The seasoned Mumbai batter also revealed that he was offered to open the innings less than 24 hours prior to the game.
Excerpts:
On the brakes being applied in the middle overs
We were 10-15 runs short, but a 180+ score is a good score on any ground. We could have defended it. When we fielded, we wanted momentum and to take early wickets but we couldn't get back. They batted really well and did not give us a chance in first 10-12 overs.
On opening the innings in T20s for the first time
They came up to me yesterday and asked if I would like to bat higher up the order. I told them I don't mind batting anywhere as I am flexible, so they said number 3 is the position where I'll be batting. However, while we were coming back on the flight yesterday, they (captain and team management) said they would like it if I opened the innings as I have played a lot of cricket here (at Wankhede) and that I was the most experienced player.
I said I didn't mind opening the innings because I have played most of my cricket here and I know how the wicket behaves with the new ball. I said let's take that challenge and responsibility and go ahead.
Adjustments while opening the innings
I made little adjustments because I was given the role of number four, even the number three and number four batsman get to bat in the Powerplay and the ball is new so I was prepared.
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I have always enjoyed batting higher up the order because you get that extra time to go out there and express yourself. You can say that because the few innings that I have played in the past, I have not gotten this opportunity to bat high up the order and take it ahead from there. This is a good opportunity for me to take the momentum from here.
I am hitting the ball well in the practice sessions and as the games are going on, I would really love if I can take it ahead and bat longer.
On losing all three games so far
It is a little disappointing, not getting even one win out of three games, but we know it has been done in the past as well. A few games with no wins doesn't take away anything. It's a long tournament. We just need (to win) one game, then the momentum will be built from there.
On earning the Orange Cap
I really didn't think about it when I started playing the tournament. As I was batting really well, I kept thinking that I should try and enjoy my batting more rather than thinking about getting so many runs in the tournament. If I keep my routine and those small processes right, this (Orange Cap) will come some day.
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