With a playing style that can attract even the opposition, promoting talent rather than stars, investing in youth above money, Rajasthan Royals are one hell of a side. But they badly need some silverware and are trophyless since the inaugural season of IPL when Shane Warne mastered a talented side to the title.
Strengths
They have nothing to lose. It remains to be seen how effective can Tim Southee be in unsupportive pitches, nevertheless is an advantage any day to have a top swing bowler to partner James Faulkner.
Steven Smith was the batting mainstay for Australia in World Cup 2015 and has five 50+ scores in his last five innings. But he has to adapt to T20 soon.
Ajinkya Rahane and Karun Nair were probably the best opening duo last time around and will once again be looking to replicate the same.
Weaknesses
Lack of enough back up among the foreign (batting) recruits could turn out to be a disaster if the injury prone captain Shane Watson limps off mid-season.
Stuart Binny ended up with humiliating numbers after IPL 7. Should come to terms big time.
Opportunities
Chris Morris, the former CSK all-rounder this time has an opportunity to impress national selectors playing for the Royals.
But he will be having a tough time fighting for his place with Southee and Kane Richardson ahead of him in the pecking order apart from Juan Theron.
Threats
Much of the younger lot might not have accustomed to playing high-pressure games which always is a thing that pulls back their legs in crucial times.
Barring Smith, the lower middle order is vulnerable, one can't deny.
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