"I used to play freely. Our coach and captain gave me full freedom to bat as I wanted. From last year I have changed my game a bit by playing bad strokes when the team needed me in the middle," said Yadav, who is to lead Mumbai A against England in the tourists' second warm-up game starting at the D Y Patil Stadium tomorrow.
"Staying on the wicket and getting big runs for my side will be my strategy this year. I can play my shots any time."
The 22-year-old batsman, who is also part of the Mumbai Indians IPL team, sees the match against England as a good opportunity for some of his team's members who have played at the under-25 level.
"This game is a good opportunity for everybody in our team and for the people who are in the running for Ranji Trophy (berths in Mumbai team). It's a big game for us. All the boys have come here from the under-25 match we played against Baroda. We are looking forward to play as a team."
Missing Mumbai's opening Ranji game is at the back of Yadav's mind, but he is currently focusing on the three-day game against England.
"Being positive I am not at all disappointed but it's at the back of my mind that I am missing a first class game. Still losing a place for big guns (like Sachin Tendulkar) is not a big worry for me. I am focusing on this game."
However, match referee S Sharath insisted that England-Mumbai A game is a first class game as was the case with tie between the tourists and India A that was drawn at the Brabourne Stadium yesterday. (More)