Mumbai Indians would be hoping to open their account in the IPL 2015 as they take on Rajasthan Royals at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, on Tuesday.

Mumbai Indians have done quite a few things very well in the first couple of games, but were not able to win either of them. They have had brilliant individual performances from Rohit Sharma, Corey Anderson, Harbhajan Singh. They have had a couple of 100-plus partnership already, both setting records of their own. While the 131-partnership between Sharma and Anderson against KKR was the fourth highest partnership ever for the Mumbai Indians, the 100-run stand between Harbhajan Singh and Jagadeesha Suchith against KXIP on Sunday, was the first ever 100-run stand for the seventh wicket in the IPL history.

However, those records have not been enough for Rohit Sharma’s men to score a win. And that’s all that matters in IPL. The problem has been, that there has been nothing on the either side of those partnerships. Mumbai Indians were reduced to 37 for 3 against KKR, and to 59 for 6 against KXIP, before those record partnerships took place.

Mumbai Indians need a lot bigger contribution from their top order. From Sharma and Aaron Finch to Ambati Rayudu and Corey Anderson; they are all proven performers. What they need is more than a couple of them to deliver together.

As Sharma pointed out after the game on Sunday, “Mumbai Indians lost it in the first six overs.” They were reduced to 17 for 3 by the end of Power-play overs. Harbhajan Singh’s 24-ball 64, still got them close, and proved that with a bit more contribution from the top order, things might have been different.

Mumbai Indians have bowled reasonably well in both the games so far. The likes of Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh looked right on the money on Sunday. They are the lead bowlers for the Paltan, and the team management would hope that the duo continues its form against Royals on Tuesday. Suchith got his opportunity against KXIP on Sunday and did well, with the ball and the bat.

The last times those two sides met in the IPL, in the last league game of 2014, Corey Anderson’s 44-ball 95 took Mumbai Indians to a stunning win, and a place in the play-offs. Anderson would have good memories from that game, and would be keen to continue his dominance against the Royals.

Royals are coming into this game on the back of a thrilling last-ball win over Delhi Daredevils on Sunday. They would naturally be the more confident side going into this one. But Mumbai Indians would be keen to do the basics right, and if they get a good start, both in the batting and the bowling department, one could be in for a treat of a game.