Chennai Super Kings will take on Mumbai Indians, the only team to have won more titles than them, in the opening match of the 11th edition at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. | PTI
IPL 2018: Teams gear-up for their inaugural fixtures
Chennai Super Kings will take on Mumbai Indians, the only team to have won more titles than them, in the opening match of the 11th edition at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
Super Kings are banking on the experience of Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Shane Watson and Suresh Raina. Fleming, however, said that the playing XI hadn’t been decided upon. | PTI
While the talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be back as Chennai captain, Fleming will miss the services of Faf du Plessis in this tie due to a finger injury. | PTI
On the other hand, Mumbai are also hoping to stamp their authority right away. The team has been known to start slow, but the three-time champions are a much settled side. IN PIC: Mumbai Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene and team owner Akash Ambani during a practice session ahead of IPL 2018 in Mumbai. | PTI
The Wankhede pitch is not the most predictable, assisting pace bowlers early on. The dew at night has often thrown off visiting teams, and the toss may become a key factor. IN PIC: Seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Lasih Malinga during a practice session. | PTI
RCB bowling coach Ashish Nehra R with Cricket Association of Bengal President Sourav Ganguly during a training session ahead of the IPL match against KKR at Eden Garden in Kolkata. | PTI
Kolkata Eden Gardens will host the clash of heavyweights, as KKR lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore on 8 March, 2018.| PTI
Kolkata Knight Riders would look to usher in a fresh era under new captain Dinesh Karthik with a victory when they open their Indian Premier League campaign against heavyweights Royal Challengers Bangalore. | PTI
The mood of uncertainty in the home camp was aptly summed by their assistant coach Simon Katich who termed themselves as 'underdogs' against RCB, despite KKR leading the head-to-head record 12-9.| PTI
The first task up front will be to find the right balance in what seems to be a weak middle order and a motivate the pace attack which got depleted after the pullout of Aussie pace spearhead Mitchell Starc. | PTI
RCB wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel during a practice session at the Eden. | PTI
Rajasthan Royals also did well in the IPL auction by picking proven performers in other T20 leagues such as the Big Bash League in Australia. As a result, they have some exciting new faces in the IPL such as D'Arcy Short and Jofra Archer joining a talented bunch of Indian players. | PTI
Besides Rahane who has time and again proved he is no pushover when it comes to T20 cricket, Royals have the likes of celebrated England all-rounder Ben Stokes and effective white-ball bowler Jaydev Unadkat, who they bagged for a record Rs 11.5 crore.| PTI
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni with a wrap around his knee during a practice session ahead of IPL 2018 in Mumbai. | PTI
KXIP captain R Ashwin during a practice session ahead of their match against Delhi Daredevils at IPL 2018 at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. | PTI
Delhi Daredevils players during a practice session ahead of their match against Kings XI Punjab at IPL 2018 at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. | PTI
KXIP player Chris Gayle during a practice session ahead of their match against Delhi Daredevils at IPL 2018 at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Saturday. | PTI
