With the IPL 2018 final less than a day away, Allsportspk presents it readers with a comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis. This analysis mainly revolves around three factors: Expert Opinions, Audience Feedback and Team Performances during IPL 2018.

The final match is going to be held between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Both teams deserve to be in the final as they topped the IPL table with 18 points each.

However, their journey to reach there has been very different. CSK is what you can call an all-round & balanced team with more inclination towards a strong bowling attack.

SRH on the other hand, have relied on their bowling attack and have successfully defended some of the lowest totals in this IPL. Overall, one can definitely say that it’s a battle between one of the strongest bowling attacks Vs the strongest batting unit that are going to face each other in the IPL 2018 final.

This is Chennai’s first season after their two-match ban and they have two IPL trophies to their name which they won in 2010 and 2011 respectively. SRH also have the title to their name as they won it in 2016 when they beat RCB in the finals.

However, when it comes to this season performances, Chennai have dominated SRH as they have won all of the 3 encounters in which they locked horns against one another.

But, SRH does not falter under pressure and this might be a worrisome factor for CSK as the two teams get ready to face each other in the final.

So, all in all this IPL final will be a closely fought one as both teams have what it takes to dominate over one another. That is why in this Allsportspk SWOT Analysis we will provide you with an objective outlook of some facts and figure by using the numerical method.

Methodology: An overall score of 1-10 is given based on a total of 6 parameters. And, the team that has the highest total among the two is likely to win the IPL 2018 final and lift the trophy.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Parameters  Strengths  Weaknesses  Opportunities  Threats  Score 
Batting  In-form Top Order Fragile Middle Order Lower Middle Order can step up to the occasion CSK’s Pace Attack 7
Bowling  Strongest Bowling Attack This Season None Other bowlers need to dominate other than Rashid Khan CSK’s top order and especially Ambati Rayudu 9
Fielding  Superb in the slips –Shikhar Dhawan

Excellent Boundary rider –Rashid Khan

 None Shikhar Dhawan to become the highest catch taker in this IPL Dropped catches might cost them the final 9
Previous
Performances 		 Won the IPL 2016 with more or less the same team Have lost all three matches against CSK in this IPL Set their record straight by beating CSK in the final CSK knows SRH’s weaknesses by heart 7
Injury Factor  None None None None 10
Audience Support  Considerable Audience support CSK would get a huge audience support Winning the IPL 2018 final will increase their fan base Players might lose confidence in front of dominant CSK supporters 8
Weather  Almost all foreign players in SRH’s line-up have the experience to play in humid conditions Foreign players might succumb in humid conditions Use this ability to their advantage None 8
Total  58

 

Chennai Super Kings

Parameters  Strengths  Weaknesses  Opportunities  Threats  Score 
Batting  Strong Top and Lower-middle order Middle Order has been inconsistent and prone to give away their wickets 200+ runs can be a walk in the park if middle order contributes Rashid Khan as Wankhede assists spin bowlers 9
Bowling  Combination of spinners + Young fast bowling attack Tendency to leak runs under pressure Add one more spin bowler into their attack due to a spin-friendly wicket SRH’s top order’s ability to counter spin 7
Fielding  Slip catching- Suresh Raina Have dropped a considerable amount of catches Improve their fielding and catching or SRH will run away with the match Dropping an SRH top-order batsman can lead to losing the trophy 8
Previous -Performances  Have won 3 out of 3 matches against SRH this season None Won the IPL 2 times in 2010 and 2011 SRH will be seeking redemption 9
Injury Factor  None Sam Billings Hip Injury None Almost all CSK’s players are over 30 years old so the chance of getting injured is quite high 8
Audience Support  CSK fans are expected to fill the stadium None Win The IPL and boost their already big audience support None 10
Weather  Experienced Indian players to counter the hot weather Foreign players tendency to remain composed in humid conditions Local players might have to step up in tough climatic conditions Foreign players incompatibility to play in these conditions might cost CSK the trophy 8
Total  59

 

So, according to the SWOT analysis, CSK will have a slight advantage, but these are only numerical figures as in the real world several other factors come into play. And, in the end the team that doesn’t falter in front of the pressure that a team faces in the final will win the trophy.

Moreover, a one point difference indicates that it will be a very close match and any team can win no matter what the odds are.

The final squads are yet to be announced but according to Allsportspk expert panel the possible squads are:

Chennai Super Kings

  • AT Rayudu
  • DJ Bravo
  • DL Chahar
  • F du Plessis
  • Harbhajan Singh
  • L Ngidi
  • MS Dhoni – Cpt. & Wk.
  • RA Jadeja
  • SK Raina
  • SN Thakur
  • SR Watson

Sunrisers Hyderabad

  • B Kumar
  • CR Brathwaite
  • DJ Hooda
  • KK Ahmed
  • KS Williamson – Cpt.
  • Rashid Khan
  • S Dhawan
  • S Kaul
  • Shakib Al Hasan
  • WP Saha – Wk.
  • YK Pathan

The IPL points table is also appended below to provide a glance of the team wise position:

Teams  P  W  L  Points  NRR 
1.  Sunrisers Hyderabad  14 9 5 18 +0.284
2.  Chennai Super Kings  13 8 5 18 +0.253
3.  Kolkata Knight Riders  14 8 6 16 -0.070
4.  Rajasthan Royals  14 7 7 14 -0.250
5.  Mumbai Indians  14  6 8 12 +0.317
6.  Royal Challengers                   Bangalore  14 6 8 12 +0.129
7.  Kings XI Punjab  14 6 8 12 +0.129
8.  Delhi Daredevils  13  4 9 8 -0.288

 

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