Of the four teams that made it to the playoffs, Lucknow Super Giants are the least glamorous and talked about. They obviously don't have the rich history of Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, but even Gujarat Titans get a lot more attention than them. LSG's highest run-scorer , Marcus Stoinis is listed on the 19th in the list this season and their bowler in form, Ravi Bishnoi is on the 11th position in the list of top wicket-takers. They don't have a future Indian superstar at the top, an experienced fast bowler, or a magician of a wrist spinner.

That LSG qualified for the playoffs without their regular captain and star batsman KOL Rahul and it speaks about the depth of Krunal Pandey's captaincy. Under his leadership, they won three of their last four completed games; those victories coming at the end of the league to qualify without much stress.

The one thing they do have in common with the Titans is a clean sheet against one of the IPL's most successful teams. Just like Titans had a 3-0 record against CSK before Qualifier 1, LSG have a 3-0 record against Mumbai, their opponents in the Eliminator. They played only once during the league stage this season, and LSG won the home match by five runs. LSG have won by setting and chasing targets in recent games but they have depended on their overseas batters - Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Kyle Mayers and Quinton de Kock - for most of their runs. Apart from Rahul, their other Indian batters have scored only two half-centuries this season, compared to ten fifties from overseas.

On the contrary, Mumbai had to face more difficult journey towards the play-off. because of injuries to key players but they have once again benefitted from unearthing Indian talent: Nehal Wadhera has impressed with his striking ability, and Akash Madhwal is becoming their go-to death bowler. They squeaked through to the playoffs in fourth place by beating Sunrisers Hyderabad on the final day of the league, and then Titans did them a favour by knocking out RCB.

While Mumbai are the best chasing side this season, LSG are the best defenders of totals. Both will have to factor in the possibility of a slow pitch, and whether or not dew will play a part, when deciding what to do if they win the toss. There are no second chances in Chennai on Wednesday: the winner takes a step closer to the final, the loser gets eliminated.