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 ballsnot 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.