IPL 2018, Playoffs: SWOT Analysis of Rajasthan Royals (RR)

56 games in the regular season have ticked off and we have our four playoffs sealed. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) despite losing steam towards the end of the group stages benefitted from an excellent first half as they finished top.

While Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were also inconsistent at the fag end of the league stage but finished second. While Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won three in a row to qualify, Rajasthan Royals (RR) surprised many as they qualified by winning four out of their last five games.

Rajasthan Royals were one of the two teams that returned to the fold after a two-year suspension. However, their return was quite subdued and was not as celebrated as much as CSK. But they bought well at the auction.

They did have some impact players and after a slow and a sluggish start, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side really turned on the heat and did exceptionally well in the last phase to qualify for the playoffs.

They will play Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator on May 23 (Wednesday), but before that let’s take a look at their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

---

Strengths

Jofra Archer and Krishnappa Gowtham have been brilliant this season.

Ajinkya Rahane may not be in the greatest of forms with the bat, but his captaincy has been very good for RR. He has remained cool and calm and hasn’t panicked under pressure situations.

The spinners have been excellent for RR. Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham have been excellent while Ish Sodhi who has just played a handful of games has also impressed a lot. In fact, Gowtham has been brilliant all-around. He’s given RR that flourish with the bat at the death and has also been superb in the field. He has a strike-rate of 205.26 in this tournament, which is among the best.

On the other hand, ever since Jofra Archer has come into the side, he has been magnificent. He’s taken full responsibility of the bowling attack and has become the leader of the attack. He is an impact player who has bowled well at the start and at the death, giving Ajinkya Rahane's side some control.

Weaknesses

Ajinkya Rahane hasn't looked in the best of forms this season.

The batting has been a problem for RR. Barring Jos Buttler who was absolutely phenomenal at the top of the order (scoring 5 consecutive half-centuries), none of the batsmen have been able to score consistently.

Sanju Samson had a good start to the season but has tapered off. Rahul Tripathi scored a very good 80 off 58 balls in the last game against RCB but has not been at his best this season.

Ajinkya Rahane despite being the third highest run-getter of the team, isn’t looking in the best of forms. Also, the constant chop and change in the batting order hasn’t helped. Rahane hasn’t opened in the last few games. The likes of Jofra Archer, D’Arcy Short and Henrich Klaasen have been given a chance at the top of the order and they haven’t quite done well.

Apart from Jofra Archer, RR haven’t been at the best in the pace department. Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni and Ben Laughlin have been disappointing and have flattered to deceive. They have leaked runs and have not given any sort of control.

Hence, it is the right time for this pace attack to step up in the all-important Eliminator.

Opportunities

Rahul Tripathi will want to continue his form from the RCB game.

Rajasthan Royals were the underdogs going in the last week of the group stage. They needed to win almost all their games to stand a chance to qualify and they did win 4 out of the last 5 games to advance as the fourth team.

However, Jos Buttler was the star in most of the games as he more or less batted through. But with him missing the last game and the playoffs, it is a great opportunity for the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson to stand up and perform in a knockout game.

Henrich Klaasen who replaced Jos Buttler in the last game was also good and hence RR will hope he can continue his good form.

RR will be hoping Rahul Tripathi who scored a brilliant unbeaten 80 against RCB continues his form and gives them a good start at the top of the order. Jofra Archer who has gone wicketless in the last two games will also be hoping to hit form in the crunch game.

It is also an opportunity for RR who will start the game as underdogs once again to cause an upset against KKR who will have to deal with the pressure of expectation of playing at home.

Threats

There's been no stability in the batting order for RR.

RR have depended on the individual brilliance of Jos Buttler in most games in the latter stages. Ben Stokes was also hitting form towards the business end of the tournament, especially with the ball. However, with the star players missing due to national duty, it will be very interesting to see how RR fare in a pressure game.

RR have a constantly changed their opening combination and they haven’t nailed that two permanent openers this season. Jofra Archer opened in the last game alongside Rahul Tripathi. D’Arcy Short has been in and out of the side while a number of other players have been tried at the opening slot. Hence, that instability at the top might come back to haunt them.

---

Our tournament homepage has IPL live score, Match Analysis, Detailed Stats, Fantasy Tips, Controversies, Match Predictions and much more. Bookmark it now!