As such, there’s very little to separate the two teams. Both finished the group stage with nine wins in 14 games, but Hyderabad finished on top with a better net run rate. They were the first to make the grade for the play-offs, with Chennai following them there. But Chennai then became the first to enter the final, after beating Hyderabad in Qualifier 1.

Even Stevens there, but Chennai have an edge, and that’s because they have won each of their three fixtures against Hyderabad so far – by four runs, by eight wickets and, in the qualifier, by two wickets.

One man who will concern Chennai is Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan leg-spinner has been one of the stars of the tournament with 21 wickets against his name, and put in a grand all-round display in Qualifier 2 against Kolkata Knight Riders, slamming a 10-ball 34* and then returning 3-19.

“Obviously, left-hand, right-hand batsmen and having the ability to take it away from both of those players on surfaces that offer a little bit of turn is definitely an asset to have. We are very fortunate to have Rashid Khan in our team. He’s been outstanding throughout the whole campaign and hopefully tomorrow night he can do it all over again,” said Williamson.

Hyderabad are not just about Khan, though, and as Stephen Fleming, the Chennai coach, pointed out, “the load has been shared” at Chennai as well. Dhoni’s team have the edge, because of their 3-0 score in the tournament, but Hyderabad have the firepower, in all the departments, to make a match of this one.