Mumbai Indians take on South Australia Redbacks today

Loss to Highveld Lions was followed by heart-t0-heart talk between Mumbai Indians players and management

Loss to Highveld Lions was followed by heart-t0-heart talk between Mumbai Indians players and management

There was some serious heart-to-heart talk between the players and management after the Mumbai Indians lost their opening Champions League Twenty20 game to the Highveld Lions at the start of the weekend.

coach Robin Singh said the squad was looking forward to redeeming themselves when they meet the South Australian Redbacks at sahara stadium kingsmead today.

"There has to be a change --we all admitted afterwards that we did not play to our potential at the wanderers and that was the reason for the loss. We had prepared well but 'ring rust' cost us the game."We all have certain roles to play and we go into the game with lifted spirits. This is a must-win game --it's as simple as that."

To a certain extent the Mumbai Indians have their backs to the wall, as another loss would mean a battle on their hands to qualify for the semi-final stages of the CL T20.

their bowling and fielding let them down against the Lions where they lost by nine runs. but after saturday's intense workout in the nets and on the main surface, there seems to be an air of confidence flowing back for the star-studded outfit.

BUCK UP boys! Mumbai Indians coach Robin Singh supervises the
practice session in Durban yesterday. Pic/AFP

Toiling hard
Fielding coach Jonty Rhodes worked the players to the ground with fielding drills while the bowlers, who sprayed the ball indifferently against the likes of Jonathan Vandiar and Neil McKenzie in the pipe-opener, were made to toil in the Durban heat.

"It was not difficult for the lads to regroup. We are up against it and the boys are determined to put their champions league title aspirations back on track.there's lot at stake," said Singh.

Skipper Sachin Tendulkar was deep in conversation with his top batsmen after they completed their stints and he, too, will be looking for a little more support from the likes of Kieron Pollard, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary.

but, more so, the master batsman, who started the tournament with a fashionable 69 at the bull ring will want his bowlers --especially Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga to be on song.

"It's a big one for us," he said before adding, "We will take a look at the pitch later today, decide what's best for the team and then put our game plans into place."

meanwhile, the Redbacks, who recorded a 11-run win over the highveld lions at centurion yesterday, arrive in Durban boosted by their victory in the opening game.

It will be interesting to see how the likes of shaun tait and cullum ferguson fair on the kingsmead track which offer bounce, pace and movement through the air.