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With the 18th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) looming, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are again preparing in search of their first title. Their incredible transformation in IPL 2024, winning six in a row and ending up in the playoffs after a torrid beginning, has increased expectations. Nevertheless, with a fresh captain in Rajat Patidar and some marquee signings, RCB will have to turn over a new leaf to win the trophy finally. Here is a comprehensive SWOT analysis for the next season.
Strengths: A balanced squad with multi-dimensional players
One of the strongest positives for RCB going into IPL 2025 is the balance in their squad. Contrary to seasons past, where they relied heavily on star power, this year’s squad has been constructed on the basis of roles instead of merely marquee names.
- Robust Indian core: RCB have consolidated its Indian strength with Patidar captaincy, Virat Kohli as the ace, and Devdutt Padikkal contributing good batting depth. Having Jitesh Sharma as a wicket-keeper batter makes them more agile in the middle order.
- Dynamic overseas contingent: Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Tim David signings inject explosive power into their ranks. Salt, in red-hot touch of late, is a steady wicketkeeper-batter option at the top.
- Experienced bowling attack: In the past, RCB’s biggest flaw has been their failure to defend totals in the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This week, however, with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar spearheading the attack, they now boast increased death overs reliability. Nuwan Thushara and Lungi Ngidi also offer express pace.
- Balanced all-rounders: The presence of players like Liam Livingstone, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Jacob Bethell adds depth to both batting and bowling and makes RCB less dependent on individuals.
Weaknesses: Inexperienced captaincy and middle-order issues
Despite RCB working on many of its previous issues, some glaring weaknesses continue to exist.
- Rajat Patidar’s captaincy inexperience: RCB have traditionally had experienced international celebrities at the helm, but now with Patidar leading the charge, only time will tell whether he can deliver under the IPL captaincy pressure.
- Middle-order stability: While Livingstone and Phil Salt offer explosive alternatives, RCB lacks a consistent No. 4 or No. 5 batsman who can steady the innings in the event of early dismissals. This has been a concern for quite a few seasons.
- Chinnaswamy’s small boundaries and bowling challenges: RCB bowlers, no matter how much their bowling attack has been enhanced, will continue to lose out in high-scoring matches on their home ground. Players like Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar will have to be in the best of their forms to help restrict the run flow.
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Opportunities: A new chapter and a chance to break the title curse
RCB have never lifted an IPL trophy, but this season offers a huge chance to finally end the jinx.
- A new leadership era: Patidar’s appointment marks a move towards long-term thinking, with RCB able to construct around Indian young guns. If Patidar delivers, he may lead the franchise for many seasons.
- Virat Kohli’s experience as a senior player: With Kohli now playing without the burden of captaincy, he can focus entirely on his batting, which might bring out his best version in IPL 2025.
- Emerging young talent: The presence of Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, and Suyash Sharma gives RCB a chance to nurture future stars who could make an impact in crunch games.
Threats: Injury risks and over-reliance on key players
- Fitness issues for foreign players: Hazlewood, Ngidi, and Livingstone have all been injury-plagued in the past few years. If any one of them is out for a major part of the season, RCB’s equilibrium can be upset.
- Reliance on Kohli and Salt at the top: If Kohli or Salt fail in some games, the batting of the team can be affected, as the middle order has not been tested under pressure yet.
- Strong competition from more powerful squad: RCB will have to be at their very best to remain competitive with squads like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans that have squads with great depth.
RCB have put together a balanced team for IPL 2025, featuring a good balance of Indian cricketers, explosive foreign superstars, and a solid bowling unit. Success, though, depends on the leadership of Patidar, batting prowess of Kohli, and their ability to deliver under pressure situations. If they remain consistent and plug their loopholes, it may well be that year when RCB holds aloft the IPL trophy. But if familiar problems – such as middle-order breakdowns and death-over woes – return to haunt them, then it would be another season of misery.
