Mumbai Indians may be well ahead of Punjab Kings when it comes to talent and experience but the Hardik Pandya-led team hasn’t been performing to potential in this edition.

Both teams have points each from six matches but Punjab Kings are ahead on the table because of a better net run-rate.

Their loss to Chennai Super Kings in their last match exposed several weak links in their armoury despite Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten century. That Punjab Kings will be playing on their home turf in Mullanpur will be an added advantage but the absence of captain Shikhar Dhawan will hit them hard.

Dhawan sat out of their last match against table-toppers Rajasthan Royals on Saturday due to a shoulder injury. The opener is currently undergoing rehabilitation, the team’s spin-bowling coach Sunil Joshi said on Wednesday.

Sam Curran stood in as Punjab Kings captain in Dhawan’s absence in their match against the Royals. While he is set to miss Thursday’s match against Mumbai Indians, Dhawan also remains doubtful for the April 21 game against Gujarat Titans.

“Regarding Shikhar, the medical team will update. As for now, he is under rehab,” Joshi said at the pre-match press conference.

Mumbai Indians’ Shreyas Gopal said the dressing room atmosphere was positive and was confident that the team will bounce back.

“The team atmosphere is great. Unfortunately, we couldn’t cross the line on the winning side in the last match... When you start hitting a purple patch, you start clicking as a team,” he said.