While leading the Indian T20I team, Suryakumar Yadav sacrificed his number three spot for young Tilak Varma but the Mumbai Indians (MI) deputy on Saturday (March 22) dropped hints that he could bat at his familiar position in their IPL 2025 opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on Sunday.

Suryakumar will be leading MI in their campaign opener as regular skipper Hardik Pandya is serving a one-match ban because of slow over-rate during the previous edition.

Asked if he would again promote the flamboyant Tilak above him in the batting line-up, the stand-in skipper replied: "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."

He then explained that it was Tilak's hard work that made him think of elevating his batting position in national set-up. "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)."

Jasprit Bumrah is yet to recover from his lower back injury and five-time champions would miss their biggest match-winner, Surya admitted. "It is difficult to fill in the shoes of such an amazing player. But it is part of the game. The show must go on."

Surya was also asked about his last season's form which was not up to the mark by his standards even though he enjoyed a more than 80 percent win record as Indian T20I captain.

"With the form, the harder you work, the luckier you get. If it has to come, it will come any time. But I am actually a process-oriented man. I love to work hard in the nets. And if the runs have to follow, it will follow quickly. Some day or the other."

"If I am practicing well, hitting the ball really well in the nets. When I go in the game, if my mind is clear, I know what I have to do. That is the moment, that is the sweet spot for me. When I know that I am in good space and I will get runs for the side."

MI have not won their opening match in the past 11 seasons, and Surya is hoping for things to change on Sunday.

"We will try and change the tide from tomorrow. Starting on a winning note, taking that head start is always important in a tournament. But it is a long tournament, 14 games plus 2, 16 games. So, it is completely fine. We can always start a new game, have a new game from the second game."

He was also enquired about his tactics of controlling the 43-year-old uncapped player, MS Dhoni.

"Uncapped player Dhoni! Has anyone been able to control him for so many years? We have learnt so many things from him. We still learn. Whenever we get an opportunity, we have a chat with him. So, I am really excited to see him again tomorrow. But from the other side, I will be leading against him," Surya remarked.

(With PTI Inputs)