IPL 2018, Match 1: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted 11 to face Mumbai Indians (MI)

The new ball will be entrusted with the newest lion to join the pride

Seamers

As good as the army is, you are only as good as the start that you get. If the start involves a lot of bloodshed, it is hard to come back and win the battle, no matter how strong you might be. The man tasked with ensuring that the returning pride of lions gets off to the perfect start will be Shardul Thakur.

Only time will tell if he can do what is expected of him, especially if he has been tasked with the responsibility of both opening and finishing the innings with the ball.

Despite the plethora of close combat options, every army needs an expert 'MARK'sman who knows how to hit the target from a long way out. For CSK, that will be Mark Wood, who needs to be spot on with his yorkers, bouncers and slower balls, both at the start and the end of the innings.