IPL: How Men in Yellow may lineup in the tournament opener

The men in yellow are all set to make a comeback at the Indian Premier League after they were restrained from playing the last two seasons. Their return is certainly going to make this year's IPL more fascinating than the last one, and the best part is that they have got back their legendary skipper M.S. Dhoni. Except for a few changes, the squad is mostly similar to the squad which played in IPL 2015.

The Chennai Super Kings possess a massive fan following not only in India but around the globe, and the viewership in this year's IPL is anticipated mounting as compared to the preceding two years because of their comeback.

This year they didn't manage to reclaim Ravichandran Ashwin in their squad as Kings XI Punjab went past CSK's bid, and they'll undoubtedly miss his services. The absence of Mitchell Santner from this year's IPL owing to the knee injury will also be a bit of a blow for the men in yellow considering his recent form. Apart from the probable playing eleven the, bench strength also looks up to scratch with a blend of youth and experience.

Until now in their 8 IPL seasons, they have absolutely dominated proceedings and went on to win two IPL titles. Not only the IPL titles, they never failed to make it to the playoffs in the 8 years and made it to the finals on 6 occasions. This year their fans will be hoping for the same from Dhoni and his boys, and they'll be up on their feet cheering for their team.

CSK"s probable XI in IPL, 2018 are:-

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#1 Faf du Plessis

The South African skipper is all set to open the innings for the CSK this season. He has been in magnificent touch off-late and will be looking forward to making full use of the first six overs of field restrictions.

This won't be the first time he'll be opening the innings for the men in yellow as he used to do it on a consistent basis before the suspension of the franchise.

#2 Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay is anticipated partnering Faf du Plessis up front. India's established opening batsman in the longest format of the game is quite handy with the bat in the shortest format of the game as well. He can strike the ball quite a distance and can turn the tide if he gets his eye in. He has been a bankable opener for the CSK and will endeavour to achieve the same in this season as well.

#3 Suresh Raina

Raina is a familiar face in the CSK squad and has made the most number of appearances for the franchise. The left-hander has been a vital player for the men in yellow and is slotted to come in at No. 3. He was left out of the Indian side for a decent length of time but made a tremendous come back in the tour of South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Currently, he is a significant part of India's T20 side, and after having a decent run in the Nidahas Trophy he'll be looking forward to continuing the good work for the CSK.

#4 Shane Watson

After retirement from international cricket, the Aussie all-rounder has not been in the best of touches with both bat and ball. This season CSK will be hoping to get the best out of him, and with the amount of experience that he has got the opponent can't take him lightly.

#5 Kedar Jadhav

The middle-order batsman has been permanent in the Indian ODI squad and he'll be making his first appearance in yellow this year. He is a crafty batsman and a bit of a pocket dynamite and his potential can't be determined by his stature. CSK will be relying on his experience to hold the innings together in the middle overs especially when the spinners will be in operation. Not only with the bat, he can also chip in with some decisive overs by bowling his slingy off-spin.

#6 MS Dhoni

The captain cool will return in yellow this season to marshall his troops, and all eyes will be on him as he'll be leading his team after 3 years. As they have got a top-heavy side it's improbable that the skipper will bat at the top of the order, and will certainly take the finisher's role which he is renowned for. He can also make a difference with his glove works as he is lighting quick behind the stumps.

#7 Dwayne Bravo

CSK's success in the tournament will rest on the performance of the Trinidadian all-rounder. He has been fruitful to the side with both bat and ball and can smack a few big blows towards the end of the innings which can cause a difference of around 15 to 20 runs.

He is a matchless bowler in sub-continental conditions and his slower balls and cutters are very productive in the middle overs. He is someone who can execute a spectacular yorker towards the end of the innings and can be entrusted to bowl at the death on a consistent basis.

#8 Ravindra Jadeja

The left-arm spinner didn't get many opportunities in the shortest format of the game in past 2 years or so owing to the rise of some promising youngsters like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. In this year's IPL he is expected to be the leading spinner for his side, and Dhoni will be looking to use him more as a striking weapon than a containing one.

Not only with the ball, CSK might well use him as a pinch hitter up front if the opponent is packed with left-arm spinners, and being a left-hander it'll be piece of cake for him to clear the mid-wicket boundary with the turn.

#9 Karn Sharma

The leg-spinner had a great time playing for the Mumbai Indians and is anticipated to get a nod ahead of the veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. His forte is his immaculate line and length as he doesn't turn the ball much and relies on his googly a lot more than his leg spin. He should be an ideal partner for Ravindra Jadeja as he is not the easiest to get away with, and can choke the runs from one end.

#10 Mark Wood

The seamer from England will be making his first appearance in the IPL. Till now, he has secured quite a bit of reputation in world cricket, and CSK will bank on him to give them some early breakthroughs. It won't be a duck soup for him in the IPL as Chennai is not the easiest of places for fast bowlers. The temperature can be around the 40-degree mark and tracks are expected to be belters.

#11 Shardul Thakur

The right-arm pacer had a glorious time on the tour of South Africa and Sri Lanka and CSK will be hoping that he continues his sublime form in the IPL as well. He is incredible towards the death as he possesses an excellent knuckleball, and his variations will also come in handy towards the death.