IPL 8: Preview - Task cut out for Mumbai Indians

Six games, one win, five defeats and placed at the bottom with two points. This sums up the sorry story of the most expensive IPL franchise — Mumbai Indians.

For a team that boasts Sachin Tendulkar as its icon, Ricky Ponting coach, Anil Kumble chief mentor, Jonty Rhodes fielding coach, Shane Bond bowling coach, Robin Singh assistant coach, it is a performance that is hard to digest.

Hardly anything has gone right for them and have tasted defeat against all the teams except Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Even their home – Wankhede Stadium — which they call 'Fortress' is no longer impregnable. Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings, both, have easily got the better of the MI here where teams would only dream of beating them.

On Saturday evening, they would complete the first half of the league when they lock horns with David Warner's Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede. And skipper Rohit Sharma would hope to finish the first leg on a winning note to comeback on the track or else they will have a slim chance of making it to the qualifiers.

Friday's practice session for the MI was optional. But almost everyone turned up despite playing a game only previous night against Delhi Darevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla. It wasn't surprising considering what they are going through. Only Rohit, who has been batting well, chose to take rest.

The problem areas for Mumbai has been both batting and bowling. The team think tank has toyed around with the opening combination before settling in for Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel in the last few games.

Youngster Unmukt Chand is currently donning the No. 3 position having impressed with a half century agianst RCB. While Sharma, who flirted with his batting position by opening the innings, returned to the middle-order.

The big man, Kieron Pollard, however, has showed signs that he is at his dangerous best with two explosive half centuries in four games.

A good game with the bat would only boost their confidence.

MI's major issue has been their bowling. They have been conceding a lot of runs and struggled to take wickets. Sri Lankan slinger Lasith Malinga has been ordinary so far while Jasprit Bumrah is yet to live up to the expectations.

The only bowler who has impressed so far is old war horse Harbhajan Singh, with eight wickets in five matches. The off-spinner has been economical and has stuck to bowling a nagging line.

MI will have to play out of their skin against an inconsistent Sunrisers.

The Sunrisers are heavily dependent on their opening pair of David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan followed by Ravi Bopara. If MI gets both the southpaws out early on, their task would become easier.