IPL 2021: SWOT Analysis – Is this the year of Royal Challengers Bangalore?
Arguably the most popular franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Royal Challengers Bangalore outfit will face the defending champions Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener of the 14th edition of the IPL on 9th April 2021. Renewed with the addition of some of the most sought-after players of the shorter format of the game, the Virat Kohli-led side would fancy changing their tag of underachievers and will want to put up a better show after they bowed out of the IPL last year in the Eliminator stage.
Strengths
A strong batting lineup has always been RCB’S USP in the tournament and the upcoming edition will be no different. With two of IPL’s most successful batsmen in Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in their ranks already, RCB have roped in the aggressive Glenn Maxwell and Dan Christian to add firepower to their finishing abilities.
What better way to start a Tuesday than seeing Maxi in RCB colours? ?#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/acGavqauD4
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 6, 2021
Apart from the seniors, the Bangalore franchise has procured the services of some promising young talents such as Finn Allen and Mohammed Azaharuddeen, who have impressed everybody with their recent exploits on different platforms.
Weaknesses
Lack of discipline in the death overs has been a long-standing issue for RCB. Even after the addition of some quality pacers such as Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj, the major issue for them is a shortage of experienced campaigners in this department. They do possess Dan Christian and Kane Richardson but they both have been away from the IPL for long and it remains to be seen how RCB’s death bowling fares this year.
Opportunities
Glenn Maxwell had a forgettable season last year in the IPL, so much so, that he did not hit even a single six in the whole tournament. Despite that, RCB showed immense trust in him by picking him for a huge sum. This year will be his chance to show why he is the “Big Show”. Apart from Maxwell, the upcoming edition is also a chance for uncapped players such as Mohammed Azharuddeen, KS Bharat, Harshal Patel, and Suyash Prabhudesai to display their potential at the grand stage of IPL.
Back to where it all began. @HarshalPatel23 is raring to make an impactful return for the Royal Challengers. 12th Man Army, how excited are you to see Harshal in RCB colours again? ?#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/bJnaqeOHLL
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 5, 2021
Threats
Devdutt Padikkal has tested positive for COVID-19. While RCB do have enough batting options to make up for Padikkal, his sensational form in the last season makes him a prospect that RCB would surely want in the team. An inexperienced pace attack and over-dependence on the ABD-Kohli duo also make things troublesome for RCB and they would want to change that quickly.
