IPL Fantasy cricket, MI vs CSK: 5 temptations to avoid if you want to score big on Day 1

It's time for all the talk to come to an end as the 2018 Indian Premier League gets underway. With the teams getting busy with their permutations and combinations ahead of the tournament, fantasy gamers will have a few headaches of their own.

It is very important to ensure that you don't get carried away with the prospect of scoring big very early in the tournament. This isn't a sprint! You have all the time in the world to observe certain patterns and devise certain tactics - in short, to play it smart.

With that in mind, we will take a look at a few things to avoid every day in the fantasy league. There are a lot of temptations in this game, but some temptations are better left alone.

The new fantasy game StarPick has a lot of dangerous temptations. And with a prize money of INR 44 lakh up for grabs, it's important to stay strong! You can register your team here.

We kick off with the marquee clash of the tournament as the returning Chennai Super Kings take on the defending champions Mumbai Indians. So what are the temptations that you should be resisting?

1. Avoid MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina

If you are fan of the yellow jersey, the natural temptation would be to include the two stalwarts in your lineup. These are two players whose names have been synonymous with the franchise ever since the beginning. But don't fall into the trap of nostalgia!

Yes, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina are back donning the yellow, but that doesn't mean the runs will come as freely as they used to. It's been a while since we have seen Raina in full flow. And with Dhoni, there is a certain amount of uncertainty with regard to his batting position.

Get a hang of their form before making any decisions. Remember, Dhoni will also cost a lot due to his reputation. A younger, cheaper keeper like Ishan Kishan could turn out to be a better option in this case. The same goes with Raina. Will he recapture his old form? Time will tell. And that should reflect in your team selection as well.

2. Don't write off Sam Billings based on his past IPL form

Yes, this may come as a surprise, but picking Billings could prove to be a masterstroke. Faf du Plessis is expected to be Super Kings' first choice opener but is coming in on the back of a grueling Test series, where he also got hit on the finger in the last Test.

The probability of Du Plessis playing the first game immediately after his arrival is very slim. And even if he does, it's better to avoid picking him as he may not be fully adjusted to the T20 format yet.

In such a scenario, do not be surprised if Billings gets the nod - at least for the first game. Not many people would be looking at Billings as an option because of his underwhelming IPL record, but he can certainly score quickly and could be due for a breakthrough knock. By picking him you could get an early lead over your opponents.

3. Don't go overboard with spin options

The Super Kings have invested heavily in their spinners. The Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have barely spent on any wrist spin.

Even though the role of a spinner is huge in T20 cricket, the conditions at the Wankhede could see them get whacked all over the park.So picking someone like Karn Sharma, who appears to be a certain starter, can actually backfire big time.

At least for the moment, no spinner seems likely to play a big role at this venue. So it'd be wise to wait and watch rather than fill your team with slow bowlers.

4. Don't overlook the unglamorous Ambati Rayudu and Harbhajan Singh

It will be mixed emotions for this duo. After their long association with Mumbai Indians over the years, Ambati Rayudu and Harbhajan Singh will turn out for their arch rivals this time.

If you are still intent on picking a spinner, do not look beyond Harbhajan. If there is one spinner who knows how to bowl in these conditions, it is this man. The veteran has usually been very effective in the IPL, and is known for choking the opposition.

Rayudu might not have been earmarked as a regular fixture in the playing XI for CSK but the think-tank might pick him for the opening game since the batsman is aware of these conditions. If he isn't picked, you will still have the option to go back and drop him before the toss; since it's the first game of the tournament, you won't lose out on transfers.

5. Don't be worried about Evin Lewis' IPL inexperience

With Evin Lewis all set to make his IPL debut, many fans must be wondering whether he can do justice to his reputation. A few of them might want to wait and see how Lewis goes about his business before drafting him into their team.

But this is the Wankhede, a batsman's paradise. Lewis will love the conditions to bits, and with CSK relying heavily on spin at a ground that won't favour them, the Trinidadian could well go on to dismantle the bowlers.

Pick him and watch him have a blast!