Which Team Can Win The IPL Semi Finals – A SWOT Analysis of the IPL Semi Finalists

WELL-BALANCED OUTFIT

TEAM- Delhi Daredevils

Strengths:
A balanced team laden with talent. Sehwag, Gambhir, Warner, de Villiers, Dilshan make it a dream batting order. Karthik and Bhatia do the allrounder’s job well too. The seam bowling looks in terrific shape with the left-arm trio of Nehra, Sangwan and Nannes all in top form. Amit Mishra provides the attacking spin option and Dilshan and Sehwag are very good part-timers.
Weaknesses:
Lack of variety in the seam bowling. All three are left-armseamers coming from the same angle. It makes it easier for batsmen if they get set and go after them. Lack of spinbowling options if Mishra has an off-day and Vettori is kept out.
Opportunities:
To show that the tag of title favourites sits well on them.
Threats:
Heavily talented mix of foreign players and the selection headaches it might provide. Overconfidence is another

BATTING SUPREMOS
TEAM – Deccan Chargers

Strengths
A devastating batting lineup in Gilchrist, Gibbs, Symonds, Smith and Rohit Sharma. If skipper Gichrist and Gibbs ensure a blazing start, Symonds and Rohit keep the momentum going in the middle. In bowling, India seamer R P Singh brings in the firepower, while left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha the much-treasured economy.
Weaknesses
Have shown a tendency to lose games from winning positions. The bowling relies too heavily on R P Singh & Ojha.
Opportunities
A title triumph will soothe the nerves of those who endured the horror run of last year, when they finished last.
Threats
The likes of T Suman, Ravi Teja may crumble when the margin of error gets minimal.

ANOTHER FINAL FLING LOOMS
TEAM – Chennai Super Kings

Strengths:
Led by the irresistible Hayden, the consistent Raina and the solidity of Dhoni, they possess a line-up that has ‘Made For T20’ stamped all over it. Dhoni’s leadership skills bring a calm composure that is often a clincher in close contests. Spin legend Muralitharan is another trump card.
Weaknesses:
Fielding has floundered time and again under pressure. It could prove costly, and demoralizing for a team that lacks depth in bowling.
Opportunities:
As runners-up, they can now buttress their brand as ‘champion stuff’ by going all the way.
Threats:
They may have got too used to Hayden providing the flying starts. If he fails, the shudder may well run down the batting spine.

HOME ADVANTAGE
Team – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Strengths
Kumble’s captaincy. He has led by example, mixed things up on the field, rotated his men well and extracted the best out of them. The South African revolution within RC, led by another veteran — Jacques Kallis — has made them a fairly strong side. Possess the best local knowledge and experience as they have five South Africans in their ranks, plus coach too.
Weaknesses
Very few genuine allrounders, with the exception of Kallis. Their longish tail could prove to be a liability against quality attacks.
Opportunities
First timers in the semifinal could go the distance and shed the ‘Test team’ tag.
Threats
Some of their players, like B Akhil, Vinay Kumar, could be overawed by the big occasion.

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