It will be an influencing factor when Mumbai take on Punjab today, that the last time in the DLF IPL 2009 that the two teams met on 29 April; Punjab won a thriller of match by just 3 runs. Both teams have their morale boosted by having won their last match; Punjab defeated Deccan Chargers on Saturday and Mumbai defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday. This match is a do-or-die for both teams as the race for the semi finals hots up and the IPL teams run out of matches to play to enhance their points tally.

For Mumbai, Sachin Tendulkar has not made as spectacular a showing as the beginning of the tournament seemed to have promised. His Mumbai teammate Harbhajan Singh however, is convinced that there is something special from Sachin just around the corner as he writes in his column. Mumbai is aware that special efforts are now required if they are to retain hopes of qualifying for the semi finals.

Harbhajan’s wish list reads something like this: first he would like his team to win the tie, secondly he would like Sachin to fire in classic Tendulkar style and thirdly he would like a few wickets for himself. If among those wickets is the one of his good friend Yuvraj Singh, Punjab captain, then according to him that would be an extra bonus.

In terms of batting, both sides have some formidable names from international cricket in their sides. If Mumbai have Sachin and Sanath (Jayasuriya), to say nothing of J P Duminy who is turning into a force to reckon with, Mohali have Yuvraj, Kumara Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene. In terms of the batting, the tussle will be a keen world class one.

In terms of the bowling as well, the two sides are well matched with the likes of Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan shoring up the Mumbai attack which is further enhanced if Zaheer Khan plays today. The Mohali attack has just got a fillip with the inclusion of Aussie player Brett Lee in the side.

Two well matched sides who have come fresh from winning their respective last encounters, led by some of the icons not only of Indian but of international cricket will be taking on one another today at the Centurion today. This is to be the second of the T20 matches today which is a double header.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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