Among the additive manufacturing processes, selective laser melting has gained wide popularity for manufacturing austenitic stainless steel (316L) due to the inherent advantages offered. The synergetic effect of non-equilibrium microstructure and crystallographic texture on mechanical properties has shown that its properties can be tuned by controlling scanning strategies such as interlayer hatch rotation, hatch strategies, etc. Recent studies have explored the mechanical properties and related responses during tensile related deformation. Accordingly, the present article highlights the evolution mechanism for microstructure and crystallographic texture as a function of hatch style. This manufacturing strategy provides an additional tuning parameter to control the morphology of grains and their crystallographic texture. Additionally, the relationship between the hatch style variation and the compressive deformation has been discussed. It was observed that in cases where the initial texture was along compression direction has shown enhanced twin formation propensity, thereby, increased strain hardening response. The deformation asymmetry pertaining to tension and compression has also been discussed. Display omitted •The paper provides a unique manufacturing strategy to control microstructure – crystallographic texture and resulting mechanical property.•Detailed explanation is given for texture formation as fibre or a combination of and fibre along build direction.•Crystallographic texture as a combination of and promotes both multiple slip and twinning and gives enhanced hardening.