Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings – two of the biggest and most popular sides in the IPL; two teams dripping with superstars and game-changers, be that on the field or off it; two teams gunning for the IPL 2015 title, determined to stand up on that podium with the golden trophy aloft at the iconic Eden Gardens somewhere around the time when midnight will strike.
The fact that these two teams already met in the IPL 2015 Playoffs – in Qualifier 1 – does not take the gloss of this final in Kolkata; indeed, if anything, it only enhances it. Because with a recent big game comes certain nuances, confidence and trepidation, both at the same time, which should make MI vs CSK an absolute "If you aren't watching this or following this online, you're missing something special" occasion.
Mumbai Indians go into this super-heavyweight IPL final with an advantage, having been able to rest up those aching muscles and fine-tune their plans owing to the fact that they went straight into the clash-to-end-all-IPL-2015-clashes when they beat CSK in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday.
That performance was an outstanding one from MI, one that their slugger Kieron Pollard described as "perfect", and perfection will be necessary come Sunday as well, because when it comes to consistency and big-game nous, they don't make them much better that CSK, even if MS Dhoni's side have lost three of their five previous IPL finals.
To make it three titles out of six will be the aim, but to do that they will need to play a lot, lot better than they did against Mumbai Indians in their last two matches.
The first loss to MI, after they head beaten the team in blue at the Wankhede earlier in the season, came at the fortress MA Chidambaram, before a spanking was handed to them in Mumbai in Qualifier 1.
Dhoni said CSK always seem to be keen on making it hard for themselves and taking the longer route to the finals, but irrespective of having to play that extra match to get to this summit clash, what cannot be denied is that this IPL 2015 final is really anybody's to grasp, even with the Chennai Super Kings getting only a day's rest in between.
If CSK take a hold of the game like they did against RCB in Qualifier 2, when they restricted the big-hitters of the Bangalore side quite well, they should be on that march to a third title. However, if they fail to take their chances and allow MI to ride on a wave of momentum, like in that match at the Wankhede on Tuesday, it will be the Mumbai Indians lifting the IPL trophy for the second time in their history.
What will also play a big role in the final will be the Eden Gardens pitch. For KKR the wicket has been one that is slow and aids spinners, but for this match, where the home team is not present, there have been suggestions that the curator will prepare a more "sporting" track.
Make of that "sporting" bit what you will; but if the pitch is anything like the ones KKR have played on in the second half of this season, then CSK will be the one with the advantage. There is no better captain to manoeuvre the bowlers around and control the match better than Dhoni on a slow wicket.
MI will hope for a quicker wicket, something that will come onto the bat better, but irrespective of the conditions, both teams will have to play to their maximum to remain the last one standing in this most gruelling of seasons.
Where to Watch Live
Get the Match Highlights HERE
Get the IPL 2015 Final As It Happened HERE
MI vs CSK IPL 2015 Final is scheduled for an 8 pm IST (3.30 pm BST, 10.30 am ET) start with live coverage in India on Sony Max, Sony Six, Sony Aath and Sony Kix. Viewers in India can also watch the IPL 2015 final live online via live streaming on Starsports.com and Hotstar.
Audience watching the big game in the US can tune into ESPN, while the live stream option is on ESPN Cricket.
Viewers in the UK and Europe can watch Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Live on Sky Sports5, Watch Sky Sports and Sky Go.
Cricketgateway is the place to be for viewers across the world to catch the IPL 2015 Final Live.
