WPL 2026 playoffs: Qualification scenarios for RCB, GG, MI, DC and UPW

Gujarat Giants kept their WPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling three-run win over Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. In Match 17, GG defended 174 successfully, restricting Delhi to 171 for eight in a tense finish.

Batting first, Gujarat posted 174/9, with Beth Mooney anchoring the innings through a composed 58 off 46 balls. Anushka Sharma chipped in with a quick 39 from 25 deliveries, while Tanuja Kanwer added valuable late runs with 21 off 11. For Delhi, Shree Charani was the standout bowler, picking up 4/31 in her four overs.

Delhi’s chase never fully settled after they slipped to 85/5. Niki Prasad’s impressive 47 off 24 balls gave them hope, but Sophie Devine (4/37) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3/20) held their nerve to seal a narrow win for Gujarat.

With only three league matches remaining in WPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the only side already assured of a playoff spot. The remaining four teams are still battling for the final two positions. Here’s how the qualification scenarios stack up.

1 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (10 points, NRR +0.947)

RCB began the tournament with five consecutive wins before losing their last two matches. Despite that dip, they remain in a commanding position.

A win against UP Warriorz in their final league match will take them to 12 points and confirm a direct entry into the final. Even if they lose that game, RCB are still highly likely to finish at the top, as Gujarat Giants are the only other team that can reach 10 points and are unlikely to overtake Bengaluru on net run rate.

2 Gujarat Giants (8 points, NRR -0.271)

Gujarat’s campaign has been a roller coaster. After two early wins, they suffered three straight defeats before bouncing back with consecutive victories. With eight points from seven matches, a win in their final league game will guarantee them a playoff berth, as no other team can reach 10 points in that scenario.

If GG lose to Mumbai Indians, things get complicated. They would then need UP Warriorz to lose to RCB and beat Delhi Capitals. In that case, GG and MI would finish on eight points, while DC and UPW would end on six. However, if multiple teams are tied on eight points, Gujarat’s inferior net run rate could still cost them a place in the playoffs.

3 Mumbai Indians (6 points, NRR +0.146)

Defending champions Mumbai Indians have also endured an inconsistent season, winning three of their seven matches so far. Their recent victory over RCB has kept them firmly in the hunt.

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A win against Gujarat Giants in their final league match should be enough to secure qualification. If several teams finish on eight points, Mumbai’s relatively healthy net run rate is expected to work in their favour.

If MI lose to GG, they will need Delhi to lose to UP Warriorz and RCB to beat UPW. In that situation, MI, DC and UPW would all finish on six points, allowing Mumbai to progress on net run rate.

4 Delhi Capitals (6 points, NRR -0.164)

Delhi have mirrored Mumbai’s inconsistency. After starting with two losses, they won three of their next four games before losing narrowly to Gujarat. A victory over UP Warriorz in their final league match will take DC to eight points and confirm qualification. UPW would then remain on six points.

Delhi are also guaranteed to finish ahead of at least one of Gujarat or Mumbai. If GG beat MI, Mumbai will stay on six points. If MI beat GG, both MI and DC will have eight points, but Delhi’s net run rate would still keep them ahead of Gujarat in that scenario.

5 UP Warriorz (4 points, NRR -0.769)

UP Warriorz currently sit at the bottom of the table but are the only team with two matches remaining. They have four points from six games and still have an outside chance of making the playoffs.

UPW must win both their remaining matches against RCB and Delhi, and also hope that Gujarat beat Mumbai. That combination would leave RCB and GG on 10 points, with UPW sneaking into third place on eight points. If UPW finish on eight points alongside MI and GG, they will need a significant improvement in net run rate to stay ahead of at least one of those teams.

Should UPW lose to RCB and remain on six points, their qualification chances become extremely slim. They would then need a big win over Delhi and hope that Gujarat defeat Mumbai by a large margin, setting up a three-way tie on six points where net run rate would decide the final playoff spot.