Hoping that their Indian players deliver the goods, both Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals will look to get the monkey off the back by registering their first win of IPL 2023, when the two sides meet at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday.
It is extremely difficult to gain consistency in the highly competitive league if the Indian players are not delivering and that is what is plaguing both sides.
Delhi are being forced to go back to the drawing board after three losses in as many games while perennial slow starters Mumbai have also lost two in two. Both have their work cut out in all the departments.
Delhi's top-order was 'Boulted' in the last game, raising questions about Prithvi Shaw's ability against fast bowling. He has been dismissed in different fashion -- pace, bounce and swing, in his three innings and there doesn't seem to be a quick fix to his technical issues.
With wickets falling at the other end, skipper David Warner has got the runs but it has come at a strike rate of 117. He is expected to do better than that.
Getting the opportunity in the absence of Mitchell Marsh, who has gone back home to get married, Manish Pandey lasted only one ball and the veteran batter will be keen to make an impact at Kotla.
Delhi's pacers, including Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed, have been taken to the cleaners and the team must address that issue against Mumbai.
A spicy deck was dished out for the opening game here with pacers getting plenty of assistance. The conditions might favour them again for the Delhi attack to bounce back. There is a big question mark over the fitness of Khaleel, who injured his hamstring in the game against Rajasthan Royals.
In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav has been economical but the team expects more from him in the middle overs while Axar Patel has been expensive.
"If I could put my finger on it, I'd do something to change it. We need to do some more soul-searching as a group and talk about it. Three games in and no wins…you can't get afford to get off to bad starts in the IPL," head coach Ricky Ponting said after the loss to the Royals.
The star-studded Mumbai Indians too have a lot to figure out, starting with their explosive top-order which has flattered to deceive so far. Skipper Rohit Sharma looked good before a beauty of a ball from Tushar Deshpande got the better of him against CSK.
A special knock from Ishan Kishan too is awaited while million dollar buy Cameron Green is yet to make an impact.
When a batter is out of form, he finds news ways to get out and that is what is happening with star player Suryakumar Yadav, who would be hoping his unexpected lean run ends on Tuesday.
The young Tilak Verma has stood out in an otherwise under performing batting department.
In fact, Rohit categorically mentioned after the defeat against CSK that his MI's senior players, including the skipper himself, need to up their game.
(With agency inputs)
