Autograph hunters and selfie-seekers accompanied Chennai Super Kings players at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport till the exit point. Dhoni uncle, Bravo saar and Raina bhai did oblige a few of them. Now, familiar with all those attention and acts of adulation, they never looked flurried. In fact, a few of them played along with the younger fans.

All the clamour was not surprising either considering the Super Kings's fan base that has long back broken the city barriers. But today, they will face another familiar but less friendly band — Mumbai Indians, their opponents in the IPL-12 final to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here. The Mumbai Indians have lorded over Chennai unlike any other team this season — winning all the three encounters including the Qualifier 1 at Chepauk.