As the WPL 2026 league stage enters its final phase, the qualification race has reached its most intense point. With only three matches left in the league stage, just one team has officially booked its place in the playoffs — Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women.
The remaining four teams are still fighting for the last two playoff spots, and the outcome will depend not only on wins and losses, but also on Net Run Rate (NRR) and match margins.
At this stage of WPL 2026, every over matters.
WPL 2026 Points Table Snapshot and Remaining Fixtures
Teams Already Qualified
- RCB – 10 points | NRR +0.947
Teams Still in Playoff Contention
- Gujarat Giants (GG) – 8 points | NRR -0.271
Remaining match: vs MI (Jan 30) - Mumbai Indians (MI) – 6 points | NRR +0.146
Remaining match: vs GG (Jan 30) - Delhi Capitals (DC) – 6 points | NRR -0.164
Remaining match: vs UPW (Feb 1) - UP Warriorz (UPW) – 4 points | NRR -0.769
Remaining matches: vs RCB (Jan 29), vs DC (Feb 1)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Qualified, But Still Chasing Top Spot
RCB have already secured a place in the WPL 2026 playoffs. The only remaining question is whether they will finish first and qualify directly for the final, or drop to second and play the Eliminator.
When Can RCB Lose the Top Position?
Only a very unlikely combination of results could push RCB down:
- A heavy defeat to UP Warriorz
- A massive win for Gujarat Giants against Mumbai Indians
Given RCB’s significant NRR advantage, this scenario remains highly improbable. RCB are still strong favourites to finish as table-toppers.
Gujarat Giants: Eight Points, Qualification Still Not Assured
With eight points, Gujarat Giants Women sit second in the WPL 2026 table, but their playoff spot is not yet secure.
Gujarat Giants Qualification Scenarios
- Win vs Mumbai Indians (any margin): Qualified for the playoffs
- Big win vs Mumbai Indians + RCB loss: Chance to finish first
- Narrow loss vs Mumbai Indians: Qualification depends on UPW and DC results
At present, the Giants are around 55 NRR runs ahead of UP Warriorz and 15 runs behind Delhi Capitals, meaning a single result could still change their fate.
Mumbai Indians: One Win Is Enough
Mumbai Indians Women, the two-time WPL champions, are in a relatively comfortable position despite being on six points.
MI’s Best-Case Scenario
- Win vs GG: Guaranteed playoff spot (at least Eliminator)
- Positive NRR gives MI an edge in multi-team tie situations
MI also have a perfect 8–0 head-to-head record against Gujarat Giants in WPL history, which adds confidence going into their final league match.
Delhi Capitals: A Virtual Knockout Match
For Delhi Capitals Women, the final league game against UP Warriorz is effectively a knockout.
Delhi Capitals Qualification Conditions
- Win vs UPW: Direct qualification, no calculations needed
- Loss vs UPW: Qualification depends on other results and NRR comparisons
If DC end up tied on six points with MI and UPW, net run rate will decide the final standings. At present, DC trail MI by over 40 NRR runs.
UP Warriorz: Two Wins May Still Not Be Enough
UP Warriorz Women are bottom of the table and face the toughest road to qualification.
UPW Qualification Requirements
- Must defeat RCB and DC
- Both wins need to be by large margins to improve NRR
- Must rely on favourable results in the GG vs MI match
Even with two wins, UPW could still miss out due to their significantly lower net run rate, making them the team most dependent on external outcomes.
Why Net Run Rate Is Decisive in WPL 2026
With multiple teams likely to finish on equal points, Net Run Rate has become the key separator in WPL 2026. At this stage, winning is not enough — teams must also focus on how convincingly they win.
This is why many fans follow live standings, NRR shifts, and match scenarios through real-time platforms such as Vijaybet 11, which help track how every over impacts the playoff race.
Final Outlook: Three Teams Competing for Two Places
Heading into the final three league matches of WPL 2026, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals are battling for the last two playoff spots, while UP Warriorz need a near-perfect finish to stay alive.
With margins, momentum, and net run rate all in play, the final days of the league stage promise high-pressure cricket — where every run could decide who plays on and who goes home.
Frequently Asked Questions – WPL 2026 Playoff Scenarios
Q1: How many teams qualify for the WPL 2026 playoffs?
In WPL 2026, three teams qualify for the playoffs. The team finishing first advances directly to the final, while the teams placed second and third compete in the Eliminator.
Q2: Which team has already qualified for the WPL 2026 playoffs?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women are the only team confirmed to have qualified for the WPL 2026 playoffs, thanks to their points lead and strong net run rate.
Q3: Why is Net Run Rate (NRR) so important in WPL 2026?
In WPL 2026, teams finishing on the same points are separated by Net Run Rate (NRR). This makes winning margins crucial, as even a narrow win or loss can affect playoff qualification.
Q4: What do Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals need to qualify?
Mumbai Indians Women need one win in their final match to secure qualification.
Delhi Capitals Women must win their final league match to qualify directly, otherwise they depend on other results and NRR.
Q5: Can UP Warriorz still qualify for the WPL 2026 playoffs?
UP Warriorz Women still have a mathematical chance, but they must win both remaining matches by big margins and rely on favourable results elsewhere due to their poor net run rate.
