IPL 2021: 1 Weakness of MI, DC, RCB, KKR, CSK, SRH, PKBS, RR which opponents will try to exploit in IPL 2021: The IPL 2021 Auction saw every team reinforcing their squads ahead of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. While most of the plugged their gaps and strengthened their teams to make a winning combination, not always everything goes according to plans and RR, KKR, CSK, RCB, DC, SRH, MI and PBKS all have been left with some vulnerabilities that opponents could exploit.
From Rajasthan Royals’ lack of frontline spinner other than Shreyas Gopal to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s still trouble with opening combinations, the IPL Auction did not provide all the franchises with their best possible combination. Insidesport takes a look at such weaknesses in each team ahead of the IPL 2021.
IPL 2021: Weakness of each IPL team that opponents can exploit ahead of IPL 14
Rajasthan Royals (RR) weakness: No frontline spinner: After finishing at the bottom of the IPL 2020, Rajasthan Royals overhauled their squad, beginning with skipper Steve Smith. While the team got the most expensive all-rounder in Chris Morris from the auction, with IPL back in India, what they lack is a frontline spinner. The most experienced spinner in the squad is Shreyas Gopal. While he has rich domestic experience and have shined in the IPL at times, Indian conditions would have demanded someone with international experience to do the job.
With Gopal, RR have KC Cariappa, Mayank Markande, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, and Liam Livingstone. None of them have experience of bowling in T20Is and are not specialist spinners.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Over-dependence on Russel and Morgan in middle-order: KKR seem to have a balanced squad that can challenge for the title. But what they are banking too much on Andre Russell and Eoin Morgan in the middle-order. With Dinesh Karthik struggling with the bat, the pressure will be on Morgan and Russell to fire. But Russell has been injury prone and in his absence, KKR might find it difficult that could be exploited by their opponents. It will be interesting to see how Shakib Al Hasan performs. The Bangladeshi all-rounder was bought from the IPL 2021 Auction. Since returning from the ban, he hasn’t had too many matches and that could hurt him and the team.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Lack of International cricket for senior players: After a disappointing campaign in the IPL 2020, CSK were expected to bring in fresh players to rejig the squad. But instead, they chose to keep their core intact. While CSK squad, if performs, could be unmatched, they are an ageing team with a lack of match practice and international cricket.
Skipper MS Dhoni has last played in the IPL and the long gap without any competitive cricket could be troublesome. He is not alone though. Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Imran Tahir and Robin Uthappa are an ageing lot and haven’t played international cricket for a long time. Apart from them, Ravindra Jadeja is returning from an injury and may not be at his best. Barring Faf du Plessis, the batting mainstays are looking weak and that could be a weakness that opponents would want to exploit by targeting them.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Opening combination: For some time now, RCB have been facing problem in deciding their opening combination. With Parthiv Patel retired, RCB are back to square one with their opening trouble. Youngster Devdutt Padikkal is the only specialist opener and skipper Virat Kohli might need to promote himself up the order again or send Josh Phillips to open.
However, that could be a problem too. With just 4 overseas players allowed in the Playing XI, RCB might find it difficult to accommodate Phillips as they will need to drop an overseas pacer in that case.
Delhi Capitals (DC): Lack of second T20 pacer if Rabada is unavailable: Delhi Capitals are the other side with the most balanced squad in the IPL 2021. But they could face a problem in the pace department if their star bowler Kagiso Rabada gets injured.
Apart from Rabada, DC have Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Avesh Khan as pace options besides medium-pacer all-rounders. But Nortje does not have much experience in bowling in Indian conditions. He has only played three matches in India. Ishant and Umesh are both experienced bowlers but they are considered red-ball specialists. Hence, Rabada’s absence could hurt them while provide an opportunity to their opponents.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Lack of batting depth: SRH have some of the best batsmen in the IPL but their depth is mostly limited to top and middle-order. They lack significant strength down the order with Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar still not dependable with the willow. Kedar Jadhav was brought in to provide the strength at No 7 but he hasn’t been at his best.
Mumbai Indians (MI): No Indian pacer backup for Bumrah: Jasprit Bumrah is MI’s strength in bowling department. While they have a lot of options to choose from in the pace department, what they do not have is a proper Indian backup to Bumrah. With the India quick injury prone and an asset who BCCI might want to keep fresh for the World Test Championship final in June, MI might need to rest him during the tournament. In Bumrah’s place, an overseas pacer will lead the MI attack, leading to an imbalance in batting as they could only play 4 foreigners.
Punjab Kings (PBKS): No frontline established spinner: Like Rajasthan, Punjab Kings too do not have a frontline spinner with international experience. The squad is filled with medium-pacer options with domestic players leading PBKS’ spin charge. They will need to depend on part-time spinners to get the job done but that’s a gamble that could yield poor result as opponents could take advantage of that.