IPL 2018: How the Chennai Super Kings might line-up

With just a few days to go for the Indian Premier League 2018, the hype is back. The Chennai Super Kings, one of the most popular and successful teams in the IPL, is making its comeback after two years. After performing considerably well in the auctions, CSK has managed to retain their core players and back them up with some exciting new talent.

The two-time champions would be looking to resume their dream run in the IPL and set the tournament on fire. With MS Dhoni as the captain and most of the star players back to the squad, CSK looks set for action. Let's take a look at the predicted XI with which they are most likely to start their season off.

Openers (Shane Watson and Faf Du Plessis)

Shane Watson - Australia v India - Game 3

Shane Watson had a forgettable IPL last year playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The all-rounder, however, looked in a good touch in the Big Bash League and the Pakistan Super League this year. He will make a formidable force at top of the order, given his proven hitting ability. CSK will look at him as the one to capitalize the most in the first six overs of the Powerplay.

With Shane Watson at one end, Faf du Plessis can play a role of a second fiddle at the other end and try to bat through the innings. The South African captain has been an integral part of CSK previously and his consistency with the bat will bring stability at the top.

Middle Order & Wicketkeeper (Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni and N Jagdeesan)

Suresh Raina selects himself at number three for any team. One of the greatest players to ever play the IPL, Suresh Raina looked in sublime touch in the recently concluded Nidahas trophy. With his destructive batting, slow off-breaks, and athletic fielding, he brings balance to the team.

We have time and again witnessed that, MS Dhoni, even in the twilight of his career, is still a force to reckon with when he bats at the top. Number 4 will be a perfect position for him to get in and get going. Once he settles himself at the crease, he can take the game deep and away from the opposition.

The young Keeper-Batsman, N Jagdeesan, is likely to get a nod in the playing XI. The Tamil Nadu batsman was adjudged the player of the tournament for the Tamil Nadu Premier League, 2016. He also had a good Vijay Hazare trophy and has the ability to score runs quickly.

All Rounders (Kedar Jadhav, R Jadeja and DJ Bravo)

Kedar Jadhav - Australia 'A' v India 'A' - Quadrangular Series Final

Kedar Jadhav will be selected ahead of Ambati Rayudu owing to his much-developed off-break skills. Jadhav had been an integral part of the Indian team in recent times, before suffering from a hamstring injury. He has the ability to finish games and he will be ready to make a solid comeback.

One of the regulars in the CSK team, Ravindra Jadeja will be an integral part of the bowling unit. His more than handy batting will be of use down the order. Ravindra Jadeja had a poor IPL last year and will be looking to get into the groove this season.

One of the 'Champions' in the side, DJ Bravo brings everything with him. He can bowl in the death, can clear the fence with the bat, and boy, can he field! He is coming off a great tournament in the Pakistan Super Leauge. Even if, in recent years, his batting abilities have diminished, he more than makes up for that with his bowling.

Bowlers (Harbhajan Singh, Mark Wood and Shardul Thakur)

The veteran off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh, will enjoy bowling on the slow and turning Chepauk pitch. He has amassed loads of experience, especially in the shortest format and has the ability to bowl economical spells even in the powerplay.

One of the new buys at the auctions, Mark wood will certainly look to encash this opportunity. The Englishman has shown his capability with the new ball as well as in the death overs. He, along with Bravo, will have to lead the pace attack as the other bowlers lack experience. Yet, how he bowls on the Indian wickets still needs to be seen.

Shardul Thakur has certainly impressed everyone in the recently concluded Nidahas Trophy. With his ability to bowl slow knuckleballs at will, he will be CSKs go-to bowler at the death. He has been a little expensive in the powerplay, but, with the kind of bowling options CSK has, it won't be much of an issue.

In all, CSK's predicted XI looks balanced in all departments and will be ready to set the tournament on fire.

Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️