IPL 2018, Game 1, MI vs CSK: A host of strong players are set to kick-start the tournament

The defending champions Mumbai Indians will be taking on the Chennai Super Kings in Game 1 of IPL 2018. It promises to be a cracker of a game as the two IPL heavyweights match each other like for like on paper.

Both teams are going in with a clean slate and it's hard to pick a favorite. The team that takes its chances and makes lesser mistakes, will come up on top. Brace yourselves for one hell of a match!

Here are the predicted line ups for the game:

1. Mumbai Indians

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Evin Lewis, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Pat Cummins, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman

The Mumbai line-up looks solid on paper, with Rohit Sharma and Evin Lewis likely to open the innings. Rohit can take it easy and play the role of the anchor while Lewis takes on the bowlers in the powerplay. Lewis is absolutely lethal against fast bowling and will find it fairly easy to take on Shardul Thakur and Mark Wood.

The elegant Ishan Kishan can come in at 3 and the hard hitting Suryakumar Yadav at 4. Next in, we have the three world class all-rounders Krunal pandya, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard.

The bowling attack looks as strong as the batting lineup with T20 specialists Jasprit Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman in their ranks. The CSK batsmen will find it extremely difficult to score boundaries in the eight overs bowled by this pair.

Pat Cummins was the highest wicket-taker for the Delhi Daredevils last year, and he could complement the likes of Bumrah and Rahman very well. Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya are the spinners in this line up and will look to pick up wickets in the middle overs.

2. Chennai Super Kings

The new look CSK squad relaxing after a practice session

Predicted XI: Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Faf Du Plesis, Ambati Raydu, MS Dhoni (C &WK), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mark Wood

The Chennai team looks as strong as ever. Local boy Murali Vijay will likely open the innings with Shane Watson, who had a fantastic campaign in the PSL. Watson is familiar with the bowling of Pat Cummins, who will be entrusted with the new ball for Mumbai.

The team will rely on Faf Du Plesis and Ambati Raydu to stabilize the middle order, and captain MS Dhoni will walk in at 6. The batting seems to go on and on with the two powerhouse all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo coming in at number 7 and 8 respectively.

MSD has a plethora of bowling options in his kitty. Shardul Thakur and Mark Wood form the pace attack along with the part-time medium pace of Shane Watson. Wood might get the nod ahead of Lungi Ngidi because he has proven himself for England at the death.

Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja are the spinners in the team along with part timer Suresh Raina. The master of the death overs, Dwayne Bravo, rounds up the CSK bowling attack.

Who will you be rooting for in the first match of IPL 2018?