Bengaluru:Â Pushed to the wall after four successive defeats, Mumbai Indians would look to bounce back when they take on a formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore in their Indian Premier league cricket match on Sunday.
Mumbai were in a similar situation even last season, losing all their five matches in the early stage, but roared back to form winning almost all games before bowing out to Chennai in the semi-finals.
Mumbai Indians is the only team, which has not opened its account on the points table after back-to-back defeats to defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.
Mumbai have been searching for the right combination at the top of the order and have tried Sharma, Aaron Finch, Parthiv Patel and West Indian Lendl Simmons without much success.
Mumbai tried shuffling their batting order, without much success, as was reflected in yesterday’s match against Chennai.
Corey Anderson was pushed to number three but could make only four runs after he was out to a horrendous shot.
Harbhajan Singh’s promotion, however, bore fruits as he set the tempo for Mumbai to get a competitive score after they were three for 12.
Simmons, who replaced and injured Finch, would like to forget his last innings against Chennai and grab the opportunity to cement his place with some useful knocks.
But amid the woes, there are encouraging signs for Mumbai with Sharma, Harbhajan Singh and Kieron Pollard, all match-winners on a given day, in great form.
Pollard, especially, has been in devastating form and has belted two back-to-back half centuries. The powerful West Indian hammered huge sixes in his inimitable style against Rajasthan and Chennai.
Mumbai would also hope to utilise the resourceful Ambati Rayudu, who so far, has not got enough opportunities to showcase his batting talent.
Another great worry for Mumbai has been their lacklustre bowling, especially main strike bowler Lasith Malinga, who has endured a pretty ordinary tournament with just four wickets in as many matches.