IPL: Kings XI Punjab go into Mohali match vs Mumbai Indians as underdogs

Exactly a year ago, Mumbai Indians (MI) halted Kings XI Punjab's (KXIP) hot streak last season with an unlikely win. KXIP had conquered all in the deserts of UAE. That win gave MI, struggling till then, the momentum, as they made it to the playoffs.

Exactly a year ago, Mumbai Indians (MI) halted Kings XI Punjab's (KXIP) hot streak last season with an unlikely win. KXIP had conquered all in the deserts of UAE. That win gave MI, struggling till then, the momentum, as they made it to the playoffs.

This season, Mumbai have again started slow. Three wins from eight matches have placed them second last on the points table while nothing is working for Punjab. Every match adds to the misery of a team which looks formidable on paper. In the first meeting this season, Punjab had defeated MI by 18 runs, surviving Harbhajan Singh's late charge with the bat. But a lot has changed since then.

Bowlers revive

Mumbai have always been late bloomers and their management will hope the back-to-back wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals give them the boost to get their campaign on track. It's tenacious bowling by Sri Lankan slinger Lasith Malinga and New Zealand's Mitchell McClenaghan that has choked the opposition for runs. Malinga (4 wickets) and McClenaghan (3 wickets) together snared seven wickets to defend 157 against SRH. The duo again shared four wickets in their close win against Rajasthan Royals on Friday.

For all the big-hitters like Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and Virender Sehwag in their ranks, Punjab's batting chest looks empty. The management has tried every combination, but a low of 95 against Chennai and the paltry 118 against Delhi shows things are only going downhill.