Mohali, Apr 24: Mumbai Indians will be keen to get their IPL campaign back on track when they face an upbeat Kings XI Punjab in an important encounter, here tomorrow.
It will be payback time for Harbhajan Singh-led Mumbai Indians who were shocked by one of the weakest teams in the competition and that too on former's home turf.
Sachin Tendulkar may have scored just 23 against KXIP on Sunday but his presence at the top order gives the much-needed stability required.
The batting legend, who had missed few games after getting hit on his finger in the opening game on April 4, was involved in a 51-run opening stand with Kiwi left-hander James Franklin before the maestro was run out misjudging a non-existing second run.
Earlier after Tendulkar's exit, Mumbai had tried different combinations in the four matches, but only 37 runs were produced for the opening wicket.
Despite Franklin's blistering knock of 79 off 51 balls, MI failed to defend 163, with KXIP's Aussie batsman Shaun Marsh striking form scoring unbeaten 68 of just 40 balls not to forget impressive bowling by Delhi lad Parvinder Awana and India discard Piyush Chawla.
MI's key batsmen Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu have been inconsistent and in Sunday's match, Sharma (2) was out caught in 10th over playing an irresponsible shot off Awana when he had faced just five balls and his team needed him to stay on.
Mumbai's bowling department has been somewhat depleted with the absence of Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, who suffered back pain. But it's still better than their batting with Munaf Patel and Pragyan Ojha doing a good job.
