Predicted playing XI of all the teams for their first match

The battle lines are drawn for the most anticipated T20 tournament in the world as the Indian Premier League enter its 12th year. The tournament is embraced by some of the top cricketers of the world every year.

Howbeit, this year things will be a little different as a lot of high profile players will miss a part or the entire season to give more time to the World Cup preparations. It has made the task for all the team management even more challenging as they will have to manage without their top players in the latter half of the tournament.

Also, not just the foreign players, the BCCI is also in talks with the franchises over managing the workload of the World Cup-bound Indian players.

Considering all these factors, the selection of the playing XI will be extremely crucial for the franchises. The playing XI in the first round of matches is on expected lines as players will be selected on the basis of previous records and reputations.

Here are the probable playing XIs of all the 8 teams for their first matches;

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#8 Kings XI Punjab

Kings XI Punjab will be eager to rectify last year's mistakes

Kings XI Punjab will begin it's IPL 2019 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on 25th March. Kings from Punjab made a promising start to the 2018 season but couldn't keep the momentum going as they slumped in the latter half of the tournament last year to miss out on the playoff spot.

However, the team management has made some big changes in the squad and will be hoping for a change of fortunes this year.

Chris Gayle has been in tremendous form for West Indies and will be a big threat for the opposition bowlers. Mayank Agarwal in all likelihood will play at number 3 given the kind of form he has been in domestic competitions, thus, keeping Mandeep Singh out of the side.

David Miller led South Africa the last time they played T20 cricket, however, in all likeliness, he is set to miss the Kings' opening encounter.

Kings will have to choose between Moises Henriques or Sam Curran for the all-rounder's spot in the side. It will be interesting to see whether the Kings get the likes Prabhsimran Singh and Varun Chakravarthy right into the action or introduce them later.

Predicted playing XI - Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Moises Henriques, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Varun Chakravarthy, R Ashwin (C), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Andrew Tye, Mohammed Shami

#2 Delhi Capitals

Changed name will change Delhi's fortunes?

Delhi Capitals has been successful in forming a strong squad for the 12th edition of the IPL. The team got back local boy Shikhar Dhawan in the trade window. The experienced Indian opener is expected to provide the much-needed solidity to the young Delhi Capitals batting line-up.

Captain Shreyas Iyer was in staggering form in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and would like to carry that form into the IPL as well.

Sandeep Lamichhane will accompany Amit Mishra in the spin department, while Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult will form a lethal pace attack.

Chris Morris is expected to be part of South Africa's squad against Sri Lanka and thus, he might miss out. Axar Patel is set to make his debut for his new franchise.

Predicted playing XI - Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Colin Ingram, Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Amit Mishra, Sandeep Lamichhane

#3 Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will be keen to repeat the feat of the inaugural season

Even though Rajasthan Royals has a barrage of talented Indian players, the team is still heavily dependent on the foreign recruits. With the likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith available for selection, the Royals will be confident of starting the season on a winning note.

The ever-reliable Ajinkya Rahane will lead the side which boasts an exciting pace attack. Jofra Archer, Oshane Thomas, and Varun Aaron are capable of bowling with some serious pace.

They will be backed by Jaydev Unadkat, who has been in decent form in the domestic tournaments. Apart from the big names among the overseas players, Royals also have Liam Livingstone, who has been in tremendous form in the PSL and the latest Australian star, Ashton Turner in the ranks.

Predicted playing XI - Ajinkya Rahane (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Steve Smith, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, K Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders

Dinesh Kartik would like to claim his spot in the World Cup by leading KKR to glory

KKR has suffered a major blow even before the start of the season. Young pacers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. KKR already looked a little light on the fast bowling department and these injuries might have an adverse effect on its overall chances in the tournament.

The team's batsmen will have to step up and make up for a weak bowling attack. Dinesh Karthik, Chris Lynn, and Robin Uthappa will be crucial to KKR's chances. Andre Russell is coming back from an injury and might not be completely fit to deliver his bowling services.

KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik will be hoping that Kuldeep Yadav and Sunil Narine will bring their experience into play right from the beginning of the tournament. Anrich Nortje might miss out if selected in South Africa's T20 squad, which will bring Lockie Ferguson into the picture.

Predicted playing XI - Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik(C & WK), Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna

#5 Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians would like to start well unlike previous seasons

Mumbai Indians will look to put behind the disappointments of last season, where the team failed to reach the playoffs, and start afresh in IPL 2019 with a win in its opening fixture against Delhi Capitals on 24th March.

Lasith Malinga will not be available for selection as he will be leading his national side against South Africa, while Jason Behrendorff will be playing for Australia in U.A.E which means Mitchell McClenaghan might get into the playing XI.

Hardik Pandya is declared fit and will be crucial for Mumbai Indians along with his brother Krunal. Ben Cutting has been in the stunning form off late and might be part of the playing XI.

Quinton de Kock might be available for selection if he is not included in the T20 squad against Sri Lanka. Yuvraj Singh might miss out from the playing XI.

Predicted playing XI - Quinton de Kock (WK), Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma (C), Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Ben Cutting, Mitchell McClenaghan, Mayank Markande, Jasprit Bumrah.

#6 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad will be boasted by the resurgent David Warner

Sunrisers Hyderabad had a pretty successful season last year and thus they did not tinker with the side much this season. However, SRH is set to play with a new opening combination in IPL 2019.

David Warner, who is back with the Sunrisers after missing out last season, is expected to open with England's Johnny Bairstow. Bairstow has been fantastic for England across all three formats and will be looking forward to his much awaited IPL debut.

Vijay Shankar, who has been in sensational form for the national side, is expected to be a regular in the Sunrisers' playing XI this year. Rashid Khan and Shahbaz Nadeem will form the spin attack.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the pace attack comprising of Siddharth Kaul and Khaleel Ahmed.

Predicted playing XI - David Warner, Johnny Bairstow (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed

#7 Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB looks a lot more balanced as a side this season

After having yet another underwhelming season last year, Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to change things around this year. RCB has made wholesome changes to its squad for IPL 2019.

The team was let down by the batting last year which made the team management release every batsman in the side except Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers. While they did buy the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Heinrich Klaasen, their batting options still look limited.

They do not have an established opening batsman which means Virat Kohli will open the innings. Shivam Dube, who earned big bucks at the auction, is expected to make his debut in the very first match of the season.

RCB's dilemma will be the selection of all-rounders in the playing XI, with so many options at their disposal.

Predicted playing XI - Virat Kohli (C), Parthiv Patel (WK), Ab de Villiers, Shimron Hetmyer, Shivam Dube, Colin de Grandhomme, Washington Sundar, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohd Siraj

#8 Chennai Superkings

CSK will look to defend their title this season

Chennai Super Kings will begin its title defense on the first day of the IPL 2019 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. CSK won its 3rd IPL title last year with an experienced squad and the team did not release or buy many players for this edition of the tournament.

Thus, CSK's predicted playing XI for the first match will be more or less similar to the one they fielded in most matches last year.

Ambati Rayudu, who batted in the middle order in the second half of the tournament, is expected to open the innings again as Kedar Jadhav will play in the middle order.

CSK's comeback man Mohit Sharma is expected to start in the playing XI. The South African duo of Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngidi are expected to be rested for the T20 series against Sri Lanka and might be available for the first match.

Predicted playing XI - Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Kedar Jadhav, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Mohit Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir