The morale of the Mumbai outfit is at its lowest after losing three consecutive matches and from here on it would be a Herculean task for Tendulkar’s boys to pick themselves up and set things right.

What has been a matter of concern for Mumbai is the inability of the batsmen to put up decent totals on the board.

Boasting the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Tendulkar, JP Duminy and Dwayne Bravo, Mumbai would be eyeing a big score on Sunday. But for that to happen, it will have to do away with its middle-over blues.

Mumbai Indians bowling, however, has looked impressive in all the outings so far.

Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga has been a force to reckon with and would be opening the attack with in-form Zaheer Khan, who is expected to return after missing the last two matches due to a shoulder injury.

Although off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has shone in patches, the part-time off-break’s from Duminy has been effective.

The Royal Challengers, after a slow start, has started picking up steam and is in with a chance of making it to the semifinals.

Despite the pounding it received at the hands of Rajasthan Royals, the Anil Kumble-led side is still fifth in the points table but to make it to the last four it needs to be consistent. Under Kumble the Royal Challengers has become far more effective and the game against Mumbai Indians will provide the Vijay Mallaya-owned team prefect opportunity to shed the memory of the defeat against the Royals.

Kumble will be looking towards Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Robin Uthappa and Mark Boucher for runs, while he himself will be in charge of the bowling department.

All in all an interesting battle is on the cards as two legendary figures — Tendulkar and Kumble — would be looking to get the better of each other. — PTI

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