Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are considered one of the most popular teams in the IPL. In the 16 years of RCB’s history, Virat Kohli has been an integral part of the team. The 19-year-old Kohli became a part of the team after winning the U19 World Cup for India in 2008.
Challengers are one of the four teams in the cash-rich league which hasn’t lifted the trophy. In 2016, Bangalore qualified for the final and came close to the trophy. However, the David Warner-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) held their nerves on a massive day and kept RCB’s thirst for the title alive.
After 2021, Faf du Plessis has been captaining the side but he has also failed to get the trophy, thus far. In 2023, Challengers ended up in the sixth position on the points table and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Following the dismal season, they got rid of some big names such as Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Harshal Patel. In the 2024 IPL auction, they picked up six players after spending INR 20.40 crore. Noting the bought list, let’s do the SWOT analysis of the three-time runners-up.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Strengths
Huge names in the batting unit:
RCB have star batters Kohli, du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell in the team. After trading Cameron Green from Mumbai Indians (MI), Challengers have got a finisher in the team. At number three, they have Rajit Patidar, who is known for coming heavily on bowlers from the word go.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Weaknesses
Unreliable bowling department:
After dropping Hazlewood, Harshal, and Hasaranga, RCB got Joseph, Dayal, and Lockie Ferguson in the auction to strengthen the fast-bowling unit. These three pacers aren’t considered disciplined bowlers. In 2023, Joseph and Dayal failed to do wonders for Gujarat Titans (GT), and Ferguson also looked out of rhythm for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). These three bowlers won’t be a bankable name to support Mohammed Siraj and Reece Topley to bolster RCB’s fast-bowling unit.
In the spin department, they have Karn Sharma, Mayank Dagar, Himanshu Sharma, and Swapnil Singh. Sharma hasn’t looked decent in the cash-rich league for the last five years while Dagar, Swapnil, and Himanshu are inexperienced in the T20 extravaganza played every year.
Out-of-form wicket-keeper batters:
RCB have Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat in the wicketkeeping role. Both struggled to be among the runs in the previous season but the RCB team management has shown faith in them for the upcoming competition. In case, both these players fail to be among the runs in the upcoming season, Bangalore’s performance will be affected.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Opportunities
Do-or-die situation for out-of-form players:
For out-of-form players such as Karthik and Ferguson, the 2024 IPL season will be an opportunity to save their IPL careers. The 38-year-old Karthik looked disastrous with his bat for Challengers in 2023 and he will strive to regain his form and save the spot in the team. The Kiwi pacer Ferguson has looked out of rhythm in the last two IPL seasons and he will look to do his job efficiently.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Threats
History of disappointments:
RCB’s past is filled with full of disappointments and failures. Despite getting the services of renowned cricketing names such as Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Anil Kumble in the past, they never won a title. In 2023, the side looked powerful with the presence of match-winners such as Maxwell, Kohli, Du Plessis, and Hazlewood but failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Every season, Challengers go to the tournament as one of the favourite sides to win the trophy but end up the tournament on a disappointing note. Several RCB fans argued that their team got rid of quality players such as Hasaranga, Harshal, and Hazlewood but failed to fetch quality bowlers in the 2024 auction. With several loopholes in the team, critics are predicting RCB’s failure in 2024.
Also check: CSK Team SWOT Analysis 2024
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