IPL 2020: SWOT Analysis of Rajasthan Royals

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) come into the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a more balanced squad than usual. RR have always been known as the franchise which nurtured young talent and gave them a platform to showcase their abilities, and that often meant sacrificing on quality overseas players.

However, RR come into IPL 2020 with more firepower and a good blend of youth and experience. With expectations low and the services of some of the best cricketers in the world at their disposal, RR would aim to at least finish in the top 4 and qualify for the play-offs.

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In this article, we carefully analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the RR squad ahead of IPL 2020.

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RR in IPL 2020: Strengths

Jos Buttler is part of a solid RR overseas contingent

#1 RR have a solid overseas contingent

In Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, RR have one of the best overseas contingents in IPL 2020. There is little to no doubt regarding who their first four overseas choices will be, and this will take much of the pressure off the team management to select the best XI.

Tom Curran, Andrew Tye, Oshane Thomas and David Miller are solid backups, and all 4 players have proven their mettle in the T20 format. In the expected absence of Ben Stokes, one of these 4 players - the likely choice is Tom Curran due to his all-round abilities - could make a mark on IPL 2020.

#2 RR have an excellent top order

Another aspect of RR's IPL 2020 roster that stands out is the number of top-order batsmen at their disposal. Jos Buttler has been their most consistent performers with the bat over the past couple of seasons, while Sanju Samson would love to open the innings.

RR also have 2020 U-19 World Cup hero Yashasvi Jaiswal and experienced Indian batter Robin Uthappa to call upon. Even former Australian captain Steve Smith, who is ideally suited to the No. 3 role in the T20 format, might have to drop down one spot.

Manan Vohra, who has played a number of splendid innings in the IPL, is another option on the bench.

#3 RR have a good blend of youth and experience

The acquisition of Robin Uthappa and the presence of T20 stalwarts like Andrew Tye, Jaydev Unadkat and David Miller means that RR have a number of experienced players who can guide the youngsters - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh, Anuj Rawat and Riyan Parag.

This has been a hallmark of RR teams over the past decade in the IPL, and this will continue to serve them well this year.

RR in IPL 2020: Weaknesses

Steve Smith has perhaps too many top-order batsmen

#1 RR might have to play many batsmen out of position

A drawback of having so many quality top-order batsmen is that some of them will inevitably have to play out of position. While Buttler's role is all but secured, Jaiswal's success in the opener's role and his inexperience at other positions will probably make him the other opener.

Robin Uthappa and Sanju Samson, both of whom have had success opening the innings in the IPL, will have to move lower down the order. The former, in particular, didn't enjoy batting in the middle order for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and will have to adapt immediately to his new position.

Even Steve Smith might have to drop to No. 4, and this is largely due to the absence of too many solid middle-order batsmen. Playing batsmen out of position has majorly hurt teams like the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past, and RR will have a job on their hands to nullify this weakness.

#2 RR are too dependent on their overseas contingent

Again a weakness that is derived from a strength, RR might be overly dependent on their overseas contingent to produce the goods. Even if one of their four front-line overseas players are removed, the 2008 IPL champions look very thin in that department.

RR will need to make sure that they perform well as a team in IPL 2020, rather than relying on the individual brilliance of their foreign players.

#3 RR lack variety in their spin attack

RR have a number of leg-spinners in Rahul Tewatia, Mayank Markande and Shreyas Gopal, apart from the mystery spin of Riyan Parag and the left-arm spin of Mahipal Lomror. They also possess part-time options in Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shashank Singh and Anirudha Joshi, but RR's main tweakers are all leg-spinners.

Tewatia, Gopal and Markande are all very similar spinner as well, as they rely majorly on their googly to get them wickets. RR's spin attack for this year's IPL could have done with a full-time off-spinner or left-arm spinner.

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RR in IPL 2020: Opportunities

Who will step up in the absence of Ben Stokes?

#1 As always, RR can promote young Indian talent

In Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal, RR have three stars from the 2020 U-19 World Cup. Apart from them, they can also call upon the services of all-rounder Riyan Parag and wicket-keeper Anuj Rawat.

RR have a solid core of young Indian players in all departments, and like always, can play a major role in their development.

#2 Players can step up in the absence of Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes is expected to miss a significant part of IPL 2020 owing to personal reasons, although RR haven't released any official statements regarding the same. In his absence, many players such as Riyan Parag, Tom Curran and David Miller will have the opportunity to step up to the plate.

Stokes is the centrepiece around which this RR team has been built, and only positive that can be drawn from his absence is that other players, especially the young Indian ones, will get opportunities.

#3 Low expectations could bring the best out of RR

Various experts and former cricketers have written off RR, claiming that the team doesn't have the depth or strength to challenge for the IPL 2020 title. The expectations are always low surrounding RR due to their status as a low-profile franchise, but in the absence of Stokes and Ajinkya Rahane (who was traded to the Delhi Capitals), no one expects the team to go very far in the tournament.

However, like always, RR could manage to exceed expectations and their players could do well without massive price tags and heavy expectations hovering over them. The youngsters will be able to express themselves, while the more experienced players will also have freedom in IPL 2020.

This is in sharp contrast with many other IPL 2020 teams like the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, who come into this edition highly fancied despite their poor track records.

RR in IPL 2020: Threats

Jofra Archer will perhaps have too much to do in IPL 2020

#1 Death bowling might be an issue for RR in IPL 2020

Assuming that RR will be able to field only one overseas pacer in Jofra Archer, their death bowling could turn out to be a major problem.

Jaydev Unadkat has been very expensive in recent years, while Ankit Rajpoot and Varun Aaron aren't known for their prowess in the latter stages of innings. Kartik Tyagi and Akash Singh have bowled at the death for the Indian U-19 team, but they are perhaps far too inexperienced to be thrown into the deep end in IPL 2020.

Andrew Tye and Tom Curran are decent death-bowling options, but whether they will be in the playing XI is a pertinent question.

#2 Ben Stokes' absence could ruin RR's IPL 2020 completely

If Ben Stokes does miss the major part of the IPL 2020 league phase like reports suggest he will, it could single-handedly derail RR's campaign. The Englishman will have been a major contributor with both bat and ball, while his experience and recent international form would have held the team in good stead.

Stokes' absence will leave a gaping hole in the RR lineup, and they will have to nullify this threat immediately.

#3 The participation of players from England and Australia is still in doubt

There were reports that lockdown rules in the UAE will not be bent to ensure that players from England and Australia play the first IPL 2020 game, but the Kolkata Knight Riders management did confirm that Eoin Morgan and Pat Cummins will be available for the season opener.

There has been no official confirmation yet, but if players from the two countries miss the first one (or even two) games of IPL 2020, RR will be in massive trouble. They will need to make sure that their season doesn't get off to a horrible start, as that could derail their campaign altogether.