IPL 2022: Rajasthan Royals – SWOT Analysis
The inaugural IPL season winners Rajasthan Royals (RR) retained three players Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, and Yashasvi Jaiswal before the mega auction. After the event concluded, their squad comprises 24 players including 16 Indians and 8 overseas. The franchise invested heavily in four players in the form of Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult, Devdutt Padikkal, and Shimron Hetmyer spending a total of INR 34.25 crores on them. In this article, let us do a SWOT article on the RR side.
Strength
RR has a formidable top order of Jos Buttler, young Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sanju Samson. They are likely to be the top 4 batters who will be scoring the majority of the runs. Padikkal was prolific for RCB in the last two seasons and he along with newbie Jaiswal will be vital. Also, the Royals have a really strong bowling attack of R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Praisdh Krishna and Yuzvendra Chahal. All are genuine wicket-takers and they make RR look like a solid bowling side as well.
Weaknesses
Their lower-middle order looks like a weak link and a finisher is what they lack. They do have Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag for that role. Hetmyer has just two fifties in 29 IPL innings where Parag has struggled for runs and consistency. If RR loses or four three quick wickets, they may find themselves in big trouble as a top-heavy batting unit is short of runs from the lower middle order.
Opportunities
RR kept faith in Parag and bought back him again in the auction. He did not make much impact last season but now has a chance to justify his selection and make his case by performing for the side. Rassie van der Dussen may get some games due to his terrific international form and that will be the time Rassie will look to make the most of it.
Threats
The fifth bowling option is an area of concern as Jimmy Neesham and Parag are expected to bowl those overs. Neesham has never played consistent matches for any franchise in the past and Parag is more of a part-timer. RR do have Navdeep Saini, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Obed Mccoy but including any one of them would be a challenge and headache both.
