WPL playoff scenarios: Can Smriti Mandhana’s RCB make it out of the league stage? What are MI and GG’s chances? | Cricket News

It’s the business end of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), and the qualification scenarios are getting clearer. Finals in 2023 and 2024, Delhi Capitals have once again been the team to beat in the league stage and became the first team to seal their qualification for the playoffs. The winners of 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s chances are hanging a thread. The top-placed team directly enters the final, while No 2 and No 3 will play in the Eliminator.
Here’s a look at team–team scenarios:
Delhi Capitals (8 matches, 10 points)
The most consent franchise in the WPL, Meg Lanning’s DC are guaranteed a spot in either the Eliminator or the Final. However, they are still not guaranteed the top spot as they have finished their league play on 10 points from 8 matches. They can just wait and watch if Mumbai Indians or Gujarat Giants get to 10 points at a better run rate.
Gujarat Giants (7 matches, 8 points)
GG, a much improved side this year, have hit form at the right time. They are in a great place to reach playoffs. If they beat MI in Mumbai, they will qualify and if they manage to do it a decent margin, can gain the top spot too. If they lose against MI, they will hope to see UPW or MI beat RCB.
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Mumbai Indians (6 matches, 8 points)
Their last two matches will be played against GG and RCB at home in Mumbai. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co are just one win away from playoff spot. And two solid wins will see them potentially take over top spot from DC. If MI lose both their matches, they will hope to keep the margins low enough so that RCB can stay behind their NRR.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (6 matches, 4 points)
After starting the season on fire with the highest successful run-chase followed another win in Vadodara, RCB had a nightmare home leg that has put them on the brink after four defeats. Defeat against UPW on Saturday will knock them out. But their fate still remains in their own hands. They face UPW and MI in their last two matches, and must win both. Given MI and GG play each other before RCB’s last match, Mandhana’s side will know the exact margin they need to beat MI in their last match to achieve a better NRR than the loser of MI vs GG.

UP Warriorz (7 matches, 4 points)
Already knocked out of the tournament, before playing their final match of the season in Lucknow on Saturday against RCB.