Raipur: Mumbai Indians will go into their crucial second qualifier of the CLT20 against Southern Express with a reasonable amount of confidence, the narrow loss against Lahore Lions notwithstanding.

Mumbai Indians are in a must win situation now, and that is a kind of situation that gets the best out of this side. Be it the IPL, or Champions League, give this Mumbai Indians side a do or die situation, and they will get the job done! The big guns will come to the party, the not-so-famous ones will start punching above their waist. That has made this side such a champion, and such a likeable team. And they will need to bring all that attitude and positive approach, in yet another battle of the sub-continent teams.

Mumbai Indians would be hoping for a good start from their top order, something that didn’t happen against the Lions on Saturday. Bowling is not a real strength of the Express side, and a good start would help the big hitters to take advantage of the Express’ bowling unit. They were hammered around the park by Northern Knights, and are likely to be short on confidence. That is something Mumbai Indians would be hoping to take advantage of.

Michael Hussey looked in good touch on Saturday, even under tough conditions, and that is good news for Kieron Pollard’s boys. Because Hussey is a kind of guy who can just run away with a game, and that is something Mumbai Indians would be hoping to see today, from the Australian. From Lendl Simmons and Ambati Rayudu to Pollard and Tare, all will need to come to the party in the next two games for Mumbai Indians to make it to the main tournament.

Mumbai Indians bowled their heart out on Saturday while trying to defend a small total, and that would have pleased the support staff. Praveen Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah got the ball to swing and seam early on, and the spinners—Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha—were simply outstanding. They were the ones that dried up the runs from both ends and forced the batsmen into false shots. Lasith Malinga had a rare off day against Lions, and would be keen to make up for that. He is a class act, and bowlers of his ability don’t generally have off days too often. He has led the Express side in the Super Four’s and his knowledge of the opposition would help Mumbai Indians immensely. He has played with almost all of them for long periods, and knows exactly how and where to bowl at, to each individual.

The Raipur track has looked good for batting, and if the conditions are not overcast like Saturday, crowds could be in for a run-feast. Mumbai Indians’ fans would be hoping to see their favourite team on the right side of this feast today.