Suryakumar Yadav has taken to opening like fish to water. Ever since he moved up the order against Delhi Daredevils, the right-hander has registered scores of 53, 72, 34 and 44 with just one poor outing. In fact, with 274 runs in seven innings, Yadav is Mumbai Indians’ top run-getter this season.

Speaking to the media at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday, the eve of our return-leg fixture against RCB, Yadav expressed delight over the momentum the team has garnered after beating Chennai Super Kings in Pune last Saturday. “It was very important for us to win that game. We beat one of the best sides in the tournament. Going into the second half of the tournament, I think it is very good for us that we have the momentum. We have already forgotten the losses we suffered. And it’s good that we have coming here on the back of a win. We have lot to achieve in the tournament,” the Mumbaikar said.

Yadav lavished praise on ‘Birthday Boy’ Rohit Sharma for his match-winning knock in the previous game. The skipper promoted himself to No. 3 and scored an unbeaten 56 against MS Dhoni & Co. to help us register our second win of the season. “I think it was great. He put his hand up in a pressure situation. We couldn’t have asked for anything better than him to come in and perform in that situation. At that stage, it was very important for an experienced player to go out and play. We are very happy for him. But, in the coming games, we want to keep ourselves flexible in the batting order. So, we will see what the team management decides,” Yadav said.

The 27-year-old has impressed one and all with his consistency this season. He spoke of the need for the boys to express themselves and not think about the losses suffered. “I think we kept things pretty simple (against CSK). This is a format in which we all go out there and express ourselves. The team that plays well takes the game away. Yes, we have lost a few games but the tournament isn’t over. We took those losses in our stride. And here we are again. I think we played an away game last time and we have the momentum. We want to start winning (consistently) now,” he said.

Yadav also emphasised on the team’s need to win matches consistently. After all, we have just four points after seven engagements. “From now on, every game is important for us. Rather than think about the other teams, we are just focusing on our strong points and what we need to do. We have a good net run-rate and we will try to maintain it. But, at the end of the day, those two points are the best that we can get and we are looking forward to winning games,” he said.

Asked about skipper Sharma’s batting position, Yadav kept it simple. “I think it is his and the team management’s decision. Maybe he wants to take more responsibility and play till the end. But, as we have seen, he has been performing well at all positions, not only as an opener, but one-down or two-down. In the last game, he came up to No. 3. It was his responsibility. In the coming games, we’ll see more of it,” he explained.

MI go into Tuesday’s match on the back of a phenomenal record against RCB. We have won each of our last five games against Virat Kohli & Co. What’s more, we have also tasted victory in our last four matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, Yadav chose not to read too much into those records. “I think what has happened has happened. Mumbai Indians have beaten RCB five times (in a row). It’s all history now. The most important thing is what we do on game day. Even they have lost a few games and that’s done as well. The team we play against tomorrow will be in a completely different state of mind. It will be a great game. So, we will be raring for go. And those two points will be very crucial for us,” he said.