IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) SWOT Analysis

In this article, we offer you our SWOT analysis of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) following the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. 

Strength

Over the years, the Royal Challengers have been found guilty of packing their teams with batters, especially in the top order, leaving much of their middle order and bowling lineup in a fragile state. 

However, this term they’ve done well to build a more well-rounded and balanced playing XI. Although there are elements to this team that look weak and unpredictable, their top and middle batting orders look much better on paper.

The RCB have an explosive batting lineup comprising Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma, while the likes of Romario Shepherd and Jacob Bethell give them further firepower lower down the order.

Moreover, unlike most franchises, the Royal Challengers will have experienced batters like Devdutt Padikkal and Tim David ready to come off the bench. 

Weakness

Like last season, the RCB lack depth in their spin-bowling department. They only have Suyash Sharma and Swapnil Singh as their spin-bowling options, while the likes of Krunal Pandya and Liam Livingstone will give them further assistance as part-time spinners. 

Ever since Yuzvendra Chahal’s departure in 2021, the Royal Challengers have been on the lookout for a quality leg-spinner. They tried to make things work with Wanindu Hasaranga and Karn Sharma, but neither bowler was able to live up to Chahal’s standards. Their latest punt, Suyash Sharma, has also done very little to warrant any confidence in his ability to lead the RCB spin attack, taking into consideration that he was restricted to just two Impact Sub appearances last season. 

Moreover, the likes of Livingstone and Pandya are reasonable part-time optione but don’t have the skill set to restrict opposition batters, especially in a small ground like the Chinnaswamy. 

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Opportunity

There are quite a few players who can have a big say in how the RCB fare during IPL 2025. The Royal Challengers management went big for Jammu & Kashmir pacer Rasikh Dar in the mega auction after the 24-year-old impressed last season playing for the Delhi Capitals. Dar emerged as one of the DC’s most dependable bowlers at the death; for a team like the RCB, who have been struggling at death bowling for quite some time, he will get plenty of game time, with many of their seamers specialising with the new ball up front. 

The duo of Rasikh Dar and Yash Dayal, although young and inexperienced, still gives the Royal Challengers options, with someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar chipping in with an over or two when required. 

Another promising youngster who’ll have a lot of eyes on him is England’s Jacob Betthell. The 21-year-old explosive batting all-rounder has taken to international cricket like a duck to water. Apart from his power-hitting abilities, Betthell also bowls slow left-arm spin, which will come handy in slow, spinning wickets. Moreover, in Betthell they have a left-handed batter, which will offer them something different given their batting order is dominated by right-handers. 

Threat

The team’s biggest threat would be not having many backup options for certain positions, which could cause problems as the competition progresses. Though the RCB have a strong fast bowling core, a lack of backup options for them in case of any injury concerns can affect their result. 

Moreover, apart from Yash Dayal and Rasikh Dar, who themselves still have a lot to prove, many of the team’s fast-bowling contingent are new-ball bowlers. Thus, on pitches with very little grass cover and assistance for new-ball bowlers, they will struggle for breakthroughs, given their spin-bowling department looks light without a front line spinner to wreak havoc. 

Furthermore, the Royal Challengers do not have alternative options for the opening slots in case Phil Salt doesn’t fire at the top. 

Probable XII: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingston, Jitesh Sharma, Jacob Betthell, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Devdutt Padikkal (Impact Sub) 

Prediction: 9th