WPL 2024: SWOT Analysis for Royal Challengers Bangalore

The first season of the Women’s Premier didn’t go down well for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side. Smriti Mandhana and her team went on a losing run before managing to save face with a few wins. 

Curiously, even the men’s team began their IPL journey with a second-from-bottom finish in 2008. The next year RCB went on to play the finals after a stellar performance from their star players. One of the biggest reasons this analogy was drawn will be explained later as the RCB Women’s team embarks on a new season with high hopes. 

Here we take a look at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats for RCB women ahead of the WPL 2024 season. 

Strengths – Solid core of youth and experience – 

Just like the men’s team in 2009, the RCB women’s team for WPL 2024 has a good experience of youth and experience. Smriti Mandhana has been in good form with the bat and will want to continue that in the new season. 

Elysse Perry and the rest of the international contingent will provide the much-needed spine to the Bengaluru batting. In the bowling department, the emergence of Shreyanka Patil will be a huge boost for the Chinnaswamy faithful. 

Weakness – No local fast bowling talent of note 

One of the biggest weaknesses is the lack of Indian pace option for Smriti Mandhana ahead of the new season. The onus with the new ball will fall on the shoulders of Elysse Perry. With Chinnaswamy known to be a batter's paradise the likelihood of the young bowlers being put under pressure isn’t out of question. 

Opportunities – Chance to prove detractors wrong – 

Last year many fans thought that Royal Challengers Bangalore could be the one to challenge Mumbai Indians. The prospect of a Harmanpreet Kaur vs Smriti Mandhana finale was too good to imagine. This year the focus is on the other four teams with RCB not being given the favorites tag. This could work in their favour as they can express themselves with the bat and ball much more freely. 

Threats – Overreliance on star players 

With the experienced Heather Knight deciding to give international cricket preference, the onus falls on the senior stars. Smriti Mandhana will yet again be looked to do the star turn with the bat. The all-around capabilities of Perry will also face a huge test as the season progresses. This is where the biggest threat for RCB during the WPL 2024 comes into play. One injury or any star player losing their form could act as a catalyst for yet another horrendous season for RCB.