IPL 2018: SWOT Analysis – Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals

IPL Auction 2018 concluded with 169 players getting the nods. The two-day auction event saw bargains, big-buys and surprising snubs.

Here’s an analysis of the teams for this year’s IPL edition:

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Strength: Power-packed batting boasting Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Brendon McCullum

Weakness: Too many options for every position

Opportunity: Young Indian bowlers will get plenty of chances to impress

Threat: Getting the right combination from the start

https://www.instagram.com/p/BefdfBlD_R7/?taken-by=royalchallengersbangalore

Kolkata Knight Riders

Strength: Proven overseas troupe in Chris Lynn, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine

Weakness: New leadership can rankle the Knights

Opportunity: Big break for young middle-order and quicks

Threat: Absence of reinforcements for many slots

https://www.instagram.com/p/BegHwB6BLFz/?taken-by=kkriders

Mumbai Indians

Strength: Great additions in Evin Lewis, Mustafizur Rahman and Pat Cummins, and holding on to the core team

Weakness: Absence of a experienced, quality spinner and not enough Indian quicks

Opportunity: Young spinners and two wicketkeepers have opportunity to shine

Threat: Opening/middle-order dilemma over Rohit’s batting position

https://www.instagram.com/p/Befr4YNgfXw/?taken-by=mumbaiindians

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Strength: Balanced squad.

Weakness: Lack of firepower in the middle-order and absence of a finisher

Opportunity: Young Indian batsmen to showcase their mettle

Threat: Dependency on David Warner in recent editions

https://www.instagram.com/p/Beh0EG2lXc7/?taken-by=sunrisershyd

Kings XI Punjab

Strength: Star-studded batting lineup with the likes of Finch, Gayle, Yuvraj and Miller in the mix

Weakness: New leadership

Opportunity: Emerge as a contender after last few forgetful seasons

Threat: Absence of a quality wicketkeeper

https://www.instagram.com/p/Behc6u1lXTs/?taken-by=kxipofficial

Chennai Super Kings

Strength: Tried and tested combination and most successful captain to lead the pack

Weakness: Inexperience in pace battery

Opportunity: For the old dogs to make the experience count

Threat: Reliance on overseas players

https://www.facebook.com/TheChennaiSuperKings/photos/pb.107844962567241.-2207520000.1517479005./1848686941816359/?type=3&theater

Delhi Daredevils

Strength: Firepower in the batting lineup

Weakness: Just one all-rounder in Chris Morris to balance team combination

Opportunity: Old horse Gambhir to make DD a force again

Threat: Plenty of youngsters

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeiN3KgBBLv/?taken-by=officialdaredevils

Rajasthan Royals

Strength: Big match players in Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler

Weakness: Lack of wicket-taking bowlers

Opportunity: D’Arcy Short and Jofra Archer would want to make a name for themselves in the most lucrative T20 league

Threat: Uncertainty over Ben Stokes’ availability

https://www.instagram.com/p/BefhR2TFA_Q/?taken-by=rajasthanroyals