Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 5th Match - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Hello and welcome to the live blog of the fifth IPL 2018 between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai.

"I'm coming home, I've done my time..." Chennai's cricket loyalists are singing. Not that they needed a reason to do so, but take away CSK from Chepauk for 1095 days (they last played here on May 10, 2015) and there's bound to be an air of overcompensation. That isn't to say that the city has been painted yellow in anticipation. There are social and political undercurrents, of more significance than a cricket match, that have threatened to take some of the sheen off this emotional homecoming.

As it is, playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium can be a daunting experience for visiting teams (The Super Kings enjoy a win percentage of 70.21), an amped-up atmosphere will only add to the intimidation quotient. But in that lies an opportunity for Kolkata Knight Riders, who'll have little time to dwell on the occasion given the short turnaround since their win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday night.

Dinesh Karthik, an astute Chennai man himself, should be able to see beyond the knee-jerk sensationalism and sense a vulnerability in the opposition. The Super Kings batting stuttered in what seemed a straightforward chase in Mumbai before Dwayne Bravo orchestrated an incredible jailbreak. CSK's ploy - of not picking either Murali Vijay or N Jagadeesan and moving Ambati Rayudu to the top - didn't pay immediate dividend. There is no way of telling if they'll abandon the move so early, although an enforced change will have to be made to plug the Kedar Jadhav-sized hole in the middle-order.

CSK's apparent lack of firepower at the top is in stark contrast to what the Lynn-Narine duet gives the visitors, but Michael Hussey believes 'smart play' can bridge this gap. But that said, between the two teams, there is an enviable pool of spinners - of the wrist, finger and part-time varieties - who should find the Chepauk surface conducive for their craft. In all likelihood, the penny-pinching ones of this lot could decide the outcome of this early-season clash.