There are two games on Saturday, as is the norm in IPL 2015, but this one – the first of the Super Saturday – does not hold even the slightest of candles to what is at stake in the second. But, that, of course, does not mean Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings in Mohali is a "Ah, forget about it, we'll wait for the second match to start and then concentrate" game.
CSK are the first team to secure a place in the playoffs, which came via KKR's loss to MI in the last game, but for the Super Kings, just that top-four berth will not do, they will now look to ensure a position in the top-two with victory over KXIP.
"The first thing to acknowledge is that we are delighted to qualify," CSK coach Stephen Fleming said. "The first goal when you start the season is to get through to the finals [playoffs] -- so we are delighted with that.
"Secondly, there is an advantage if you are (at) one and two, and we have an opportunity to push for that position. So it is a very big game."
Finishing in the top-two means an extra opportunity to get to the IPL 2015 final at the Eden Gardens on 24 May, and CSK will know the importance of doing just that. A win, even if KXIP have absolutely nothing to play for, with the wooden spoon for the season confirmed, will not be a foregone conclusion, however, because the home team will be equally desperate to end their rather forgettable campaign on a high.
"We acknowledge the contrasting fortunes of both teams here," Fleming added. "King XI played beautifully last year to knock us out and they are more than capable of doing that [again].
"It's a hard game for us because they have players, who are not only dangerous at the best of times, but play with a carefree attitude. It is a tough game for us. Hopefully we can get a result, which would be a big advantage going into the finals [playoffs]."
KXIP put on a good show against RCB in their last game, scoring enough runs in a rain-shortened 10-over game, before doing the business with the ball. That performance, even if it was just 10 overs-a-side, would have given the team some confidence, and all they can try and do is put in another solid performance and try and finish the IPL 2015 season with four wins.
"We had three very good games back-to-back starting from the game against the Kolkata Knight Riders and then the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and we were able to finish on the winning side against RCB," KXIP coach Sanjay Bangar said.
"It's not about who has done what against any opposition, what matters is playing well on a particular day and then trying to execute as well as you can. And that's what we will try to do again [against CSK]."
Bangar confirmed Wriddhiman Saha would open the innings again, after his terrific performance against RCB, which means Virender Sehwag and, probably, Murali Vijay's IPL season is over.
Another player whose IPL 2015 campaign, much to every IPL fan's disappointment, is almost at an end is Brendon McCullum, who is all set to link up with his New Zealand side for the series against England.
Fleming said McCullum would be available for this final league match, but the CSK coach also hinted at possible changes in the lineup, with the playoff matches in mind.
"There won't be experiments, but we will look at the players that we need coming up to the final," Fleming said. "Obviously we will lose Brendon McCullum.
"We have been very settled in what we have tried to do, but we always knew that at some point there may be an occasion where we may need to introduce players.
"So we will look at that again today and just make sure that we respect the game tomorrow but also have one eye on the final as well as we introduce one or two players."
Where to Watch Live
Get the Match Report and Highlights HERE
KXIP vs CSK is scheduled to begin at 4 pm IST (11.30 am BST, 6.30 am ET) with live coverage in India on Sony Six, Sony Max, Sony Aath and Sony Kix. Viewers in India can also catch all the IPL 2015 Match 53 action via live streaming online on Starsports.com and Hotstar.
Viewers in the US can tune into ESPN or ESPN Cricket to watch the game live, while audience in the UK can go to Sky Sports2. The Live stream option for UK viewers is on Sky Go and Watch Sky Sports.
Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings can be live streamed by audience across the world on Cricketgateway.com.
