IPL 2018, MI vs CSK: What to expect from the tournament opener

#2. Expectations from Chennai Super Kings

The Men in Yellow will certainly bank on their Indian players to do the job. Shane Watson and Murali Vijay are likely to open the innings while Raina is set to come in at number three. The middle order would, presumably, comprise of Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni.

The likes of Bravo and Jadeja will be in the side to accelerate in the last few overs of the innings but the two all-rounders will have to play a superior role with the ball than with the bat.

CSK lack experience in the fast bowling department and Bravo will have to play a big part, particularly in the death overs. Imran Tahir, Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh are likely to represent the spin department. Shardul Thakur and English seamer Mark Wood, who has already made a name for himself in the international arena, will be the leading the pace battery.

With Dhoni returning as CSK's skipper after two years, it won't be easy for him against MI in their own backyard. He'll have to get his team together and make sure that they begin the tournament with the same hunger and intensity that CSK are renowned for.