IPL 2018, Match 5: Chennai Super Kings predicted playing XI to take on the Kolkata Knight Riders

Chennai Super Kings made a comeback into the Indian Premier League after a gap of two years with a stunning victory against the defending champions Mumbai Indians in the very first match of the tournament.

While getting off to a winning start is great for the Chennai team, Dhoni's side weren't at their very best in the first game as it was more of a Dwayne Bravo-show rather than an all-round victory, as the Caribbean all-rounder single-handedly took his team over the line with a stunning performance with both bat and ball.

Chennai managed a victory from the jaws of defeat and would be looking at some changes for the second game to improve their performance. Kedhar Jadhav also suffered an injury in the match and Chennai might have to make a forced change in this case.

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#1 Openers: Murali Vijay and Shane Watson

Vijay is back in the CSK side

Ambati Rayudu played the first match as the opener along with Shane Watson and while he shouldn't be judged by his performance in that match, it is important for the team that they have Rayudu in the middle order. Jadhav has been ruled out of IPL 2018 and Rayudu will be the team's most important player in the middle.

Murali Vijay will be the best replacement for the injured Jadhav as he would relieve Rayudu of the burden of opening the innings. Vijay is also a player who has played majority of his cricket on Chepauk, which makes him a great addition to the side.

Watson is a definite choice in the Playing XI and he will open the innings along with Vijay, if Faf du Plessis is fit. If Faf is unfit, Dhoni might go for Sam Billings and Watson might have to drop down the order to accommodate Billings at the top.

#2 Middle Order: Suresh Raina, Faf Du Plessis and Ambati Rayudu

Raina will have to step-up in the next game

The middle order looked extremely weak in the first match of the tournament and Dhoni will look to add an extra batsman in the next game to strengthen the batting. Suresh Raina will be the obvious choice to play at number 3.

Du Plessis injured his finger in the final match of the Test series against Australia and it is still unclear if he will be fit to play the next game. Faf, if fit, will be slotted in at number 4, else Watson would play at number 4.

Rayudu will most probably bat down the order in the next match in the absence of Jadhav as he will provide the team with the much needed stability in the middle order.

#3 Wicket-Keeper and All-Rounders: MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja

Bravo will be Dhoni's go-to man this year

Dhoni will continue batting at number 5 or he may bat at number 4 if the team has a solid foundation. Dhoni's position would depend more on the number of overs that are remaining.

Bravo was the hero for the Chennai Super Kings in the first match and one can expect Bravo to bat at number 6 ahead of Ravindra Jadeja against KKR. Bravo's main job however would be to bowl well in the death overs.

Jadeja had a horrible game at the Wankhede and many were questioning his presence in the side. The next match will be played in Chennai and Dhoni would look to have three spinners in his side and therefore Jadeja will be a definite pick for the next game.

#4 Spinners: Harbhajan Singh/ Karn Sharma and Imran Tahir

Will Harbhajan be preferred over Karn Sharma?

Harbhajan Singh played the first game and conceded 14 runs in his two overs. While he was disciplined in his two overs, he didn't bowl many wicket-taking balls. The Kolkata side is filled with right-handers and Dhoni might be tempted to go for Karn Sharma, who is a leg spinner.

Imran Tahir is another bowler who had a poor first match as he conceded 23 runs in his two overs and picked a wicket for his side. One would expect Chennai to continue with Tahir for the next game as the Chepauk wicket would suit him.

#5 Fast Bowler: Deepak Chahar

Chahar was the pick of the bowlers last game

Deepak Chahar was the most impressive bowler for the Chennai team in the first match as he bowled three overs for just 14 runs and picked up an important wicket of Evin Lewis, who was dismissed for a duck.

Chahar was picked ahead of the experienced Shardul Thakur and it turned out to be a great decision. He looked good in the first game and Dhoni is the kind of captain who likes to stick with his players and Chahar will be a definite pick for the next game.