Until a week ago, it would’ve been pardonable to believe that Mumbai, the country’s domestic giants, had got it all wrong in the IPL. Suddenly, the very thought seems blasphemous.

Be it the return to fitness of Sachin Tendulkar or the proverbial ‘Mumbai spirit’, Sanath Jayasuriya finally striking form or Shaun Pollock bowling like he did at his best, the Mukesh Ambani-owned team has bounced back into contention. In fact, thanks to the effort put into the match against Chennai Super Kings or the decimation of Kolkata Knight Riders that followed, they’re now hot contenders for the semi-finals.

On Sunday, Mumbai will face Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad — an opponent, that, with a mere two victories is currently languishing at the bottom of the table with Bangalore Royal Challengers. If Mumbai win again — and Tendulkar says his team is “confident” — they will find themselves in the top-four bracket of the eight teams in fray, with four matches to go.

However, as he rightly adds, it is time for his side to do a reality check against the team that they’re about to face. The fact that Mumbai lost to Hyderabad at home in their first meeting hasn’t been lost on Tendulkar. “They’re a good side and have a strong batting line-up,” says the skipper. In saying so, he needn’t remind one of Adam Gilchrist’s ferocious century at the DY Patil Stadium that had pulled out the carpet from under Mumbai’s feet.

This time, nevertheless, things may turn out to be different for Tendulkar’s team. Firstly, it is the wave of victory that they’ve been riding on, and the bowling department also seems to have stepped up the momentum. Led by Shaun Pollock, the top Mumbai bowlers have — on an average — given away a mere 6.5 runs per over in the nine matches played so far.

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