Variation-after-projection (VAP) calculations in conjunction with Hartree–Bogoliubov (HB) ansatz have been carried out for $A = 98–106$ strontium isotopes. In this framework, the yrast spectra with $J^{\Pi} \geq 10^{+}$ , $B(E2)$ transition probabilities, quadrupole deformation parameter and occupation numbers for various shell model orbits have been obtained. The results of the calculation for yrast spectra give an indication that it is important to include the hexadecapole–hexadecapole component of the two-body interaction for obtaining various nuclear structure quantities in Sr isotopes. Besides this, it is also found that the simultaneous polarization of $p_{3}/2$ and $f_{5}/2$ proton subshells is a significant factor in making a sizeable contribution to the deformation in neutron-rich Sr isotopes.