IPL 2019: Royal Challengers Bangalore SWOT analysis

One of the three teams who are yet to win an IPL trophy, Royal Challengers Bangalore headed into the auctions with an eye on a couple of options for opening and wicket-keeping.

Filled with enough all-round options in the form of Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Pawan Negi and Washington Sundar, RCB needed someone to partner Parthiv at the top and also someone who could be a backup wicket-keeper. Apart from that, they were short of a couple of middle order batsmen who could bat anywhere between 4 and 6.

RCB started impressively today, buying the most sought after player in the auctions, Shimron Hetmyer. Further, they added the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and promising youngster Shivam Dubey, to add strength to their already power-packed batting.

Now as the auctions are over and the team gets ready for the 12th edition of the biggest T20 league in the world, we take a look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the Bangalore-based franchise:

Strengths

Just like the 2018 auctions, RCB were one of the smartest buyers this year too, getting players according to their roles and how they would fit into the already settled combinations.

The best buy has to be of that of Shimron Hetmyer, who will lend firepower to the middle order, and who is capable of batting anywhere between 4 and 7. This will reduce the over-reliance on the Kohli-AB duo, and make the lineup more formidable.

Shimron Hetmyer

The inclusion of Klaasen ensures they have a backup wicket-keeper, who can also walk into the team as a batsman and can play at any position in the lineup.

The trade of Mandeep Singh for Marcus Stoinis was a masterstroke, considering the value Stoinis brings in as an all-rounder and finisher. The presence of Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme and Stoinis makes their reserve of all-rounders look really rich.

Shivam Dubey, one of the most sought after Indian players in the auction, will be used as someone who can finish games as well as someone who can be used as a pinch hitter. His medium pace will also be of great use.

Overall, RCB finally seem to have a batting lineup which is not Kohli-centred.

Weaknesses

On paper, RCB look more balanced than ever, having individuals fit for each slot. However, the backups do not look encouraging, which might be an issue in case of injuries to the first choice players.

The over-dependence on Kohli and De Villiers has been a regular feature as far as RCB are concerned, and the same trend could continue this time if they don't fit the right players in the right slots. The finishing might still be an issue, with Moeen Ali not available for the whole tournament and Sundar and Negi not having enough experience in that regard.

Death bowling continues to be a worry, despite Mohammad Siraj showing promise last season.

Opportunities

RCB have got the team to lift the title, and all they need is to get the combinations right. With players suited for each slot, that should not be much of a problem this time around.

If everyone performs to even half of their potential, RCB will be the team to beat this IPL.

Without having too many issues related to the availability of players due to the World Cup, RCB have the advantage over many teams.

Speaking of individuals, the platform is set for young Hetmyer and Dubey to make a mark on the big stage. Siraj, with the responsibility of handling the death bowling, will only grow from here.

Threats

Moeen Ali

Kohli claimed to have got the most settled squad ever for RCB after the 2018 auctions, which to a large extent was true. But the results did not go their way, courtesy the inability to get the balance in the squad into the balance in the playing XI.

Despite having options like Moeen Ali and Colin de Grandhomme, who can bat in the lower middle order and give more than 6 overs together, Kohli and the management stuck with the rusty Corey Andersen for too long. They struggled to get the combination right for the first half of the tournament, and when they finally got it right, it was too late to make a comeback.

The same would hold true this time around. The biggest threat to RCB lies in their ability or inability to get the right combination at the right time.

Also, the availability of Kohli for the full season might be in doubt, considering the BCCI might look to reduce the skipper's workload before the World Cup.

Probable Playing XI:

Parthiv Patel (wk), Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, Shimron Hetmyer, Shivam Dubey, Moeen Ali/ Marcus Stoinis, Washington Sundar, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal