IPL 2019: Predicted overseas players for CSK and RCB in the opening game

IPL 2019 will start a few weeks early in Chennai, with the first game to be held this Saturday. The action begins with the South Indian derby, as defending champions Chennai Super Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match.

The CSK players have arrived in Chennai and are set to start practice ahead of their first game. Chennai have a great record against Bangalore, having won the last six games in the IPL. Bangalore last won an IPL game against CSK way back in 2014.

Virat Kohli would love to end the losing streak on 23rd March 2019. And this is also one of the clashes most fans would love to see in every IPL, not only because of the rivalry but also because it is a clash between the former Indian captain MS Dhoni and the current Indian captain Kohli.

Picking the right four overseas players is key for each team. Both CSK and RCB are blessed with some great overseas players, and here's a look at the four players likely to take the field for each team in the opening game.

#1 CSK batsmen: Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis

Watson and Du Plessis

Shane Watson had a great time last season and scored over 550 runs for the team. He scored two centuries, including the match winning one in the final.

Watson is expected to play for CSK in most of the games this season. He is not playing international cricket, and so will be fresh and raring to go in the opening game.

The Australian all-rounder also can chip in with the ball to cover the fifth bowling option for the team.

Chennai has two options to draft in an overseas batsman in the middle order - South African captain Faf du Plessis and English batsman Sam Billings. However, Dhoni would like Chennai go with Du Plessis as he is fresh from his recent good outing against Sri Lanka.

Du Plessis has had a good success rate for CSK in the past seasons. Hence, he is likely to be picked over Billings.

#2. CSK bowlers: Dwayne Bravo and Mitchell Santner

Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo has been an integral part of Chennai over the last few seasons. He played an amazing innings for CSK in the 2018 opening game, pulling off a victory out of nowhere against Mumbai Indians.

Bravo has been the purple cap winner twice in the past for the Chennai-based franchise. He is also an excellent athlete in the field and has taken some great catches over the years.

Bravo is the perfect all-rounder to have in the team, and his experience would help them in their bid to defend the title this season.

New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner had been ruled out of the squad due to injury in last season. However, he is making a comeback this year and is expected to be picked over Imran Tahir as he can chip with the bat during the slog overs.

The Chennai track would suit Santner too. Hence, we can expect him in the playing XI for the opening game against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

#1 RCB batsmen: AB de Villiers and Shimron Hetmyer

AB De Villiers

Former South African captain AB de Villiers has been one of the key players for RCB ever since he has joined the team. He has produced some match winning knocks with the bat over the years.

De Villiers has scored over 3000 runs for RCB, including two centuries. When Kohli and De Villiers are batting together, there is no bowling attack in the world that can stop them.

De Villiers is a stunning fielder too; nobody can forget his one-handed stunner during the last season.

Shimron Hetmyer is set to make his IPL debut this season. He has caught everyone's eye in his very short career for West Indies already.

The left-hander has already scored four centuries for West Indies in 25 ODI innings. He almost scored two consecutive tons in the ODI series against India.

RCB is already blessed with several power hitters, and this West Indies player will make them even more threatening with the bat.

#2. RCB all-rounders and bowlers: Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Southee

Colin De Grandhomme and Tim Southee

RCB has two options for the overseas all-rounder slot - New Zealand player Colin de Grandhomme and Australia's Marcus Stoinis. However, we can expect them to go with the New Zealander who has been in great hitting form lately, especially against India in the ODI series.

The right-hander was not great for RCB in the last season, but he did show glimpses of his power. On the other hand, Stoinis did not have a great time against India in the recent ODI series.

When it comes to fast bowlers, it is again a toss-up between Australia's Nathan Coulter-Nile and New Zelander Tim Southee. Kohli and the management would likely go for Southee, who has ample international experience.

Southee took a six-wicket haul in the last ODI against Bangladesh, and can also smack a few sixes with bat towards the end.