When the action started in the Indian Premier League nearly seven weeks ago, the two sides had little idea that they would be clashing in a do-or-die match later.
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians come head-to-head for the third meeting this season, this time at the neutral ground of Bangalore on Wednesday.
Chennai Super Kings would consider themselves extremely lucky to be in the playoffs after a series of favorable results propelled their way. The team has not played extraordinary cricket this season, nowhere near what was expected of them.
Oscillating from highs to lows and vice versa have left the team with little momentum. In addition, individual consistency has also been a problem with none of the batsmen having reached 400 runs yet. The bowlers too do not tell a different story with Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo being the surprise joint-highest wicket-takers, with 11 wickets each.
Huge responsibility rests on the shoulders of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni in the crucial encounter.
Mumbai Indians have played reasonably good cricket throughout the season barring the odd phase where their performances fell below average. The team has achieved results through tremendous self-belief and teamwork as they have clawed their way out of difficult situations, specially under difficult home conditions.
Lasith Malinga will again be the key bowler for them with 22 wickets already to his tally. Munaf Patel and Kieron Pollard also have 15 wickets each. Pollard however will be expected to fire with the bat as he has looked off-color through the most part of the season.
On his day, he can tear the opposition apart. Above him in the batting order, the responsibilities will be handled by Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar who have done reasonably well.
The match will be played in Bangalore starting at 8.00pm. Mumbai Indians will start with a slight psychological edge, having beaten Chennai Super Kings in both their matches this season.