Their campaign stuttering due to continuous batting failures, Mumbai Indians would hope that Sachin Tendulkar comes back and inspires a turnaround when they take on a struggling Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League match, here tomorrow.

The home team is hoping that Tendulkar, who has seen the action only from the sidelines after getting hit on his finger in the opening game on April 4, returns to the opening slot and gives the top order a much-needed dose of stability. Mumbai Indians paid the price of reckless batting against Delhi Daredevils as they managed just 92 runs, their second-lowest total in five seasons, to lose their last match comprehensively.

Tendulkar has started practising hard after missing the last four games and his presence, if it comes about, would certainly calm down the jangled nerves of the top order.The additional worry for MI is that paceman Lasith Malinga is unlikely to take the field for the second match in succession because of pain in his back.

Whenever MI were in trouble, the team had lobbed the ball to the Sri Lankan sling-arm bowler and he had delivered.In his absence, the team fielded Australian Clint Mckay without much success against the Daredevils, but the target for the visitors was too small for the bowlers to make any impression.