RCB through, four-way battle for two spots

WPL 2026: Only three team go through the playoffs; table toppers make it to the final directly, while 2 and 3 battle it out in Eliminator.

We are a little over the half-way mark into WPL 2026, and after the completion of the GG vs UPW match on Thursday, there has been some big movement in the points table. Gujarat posted a massive 45-run win, and courtesy of that, have jumped to the 2nd spot after their six matches.

Earlier, Smriti Mandhana’s team has become the first, to qualify for the playoffs. They have won five out of five and have a net run rate of +1.882, to go through the next round. Meanwhile, with only a handful of league matches remaining in the WPL 2026, InsideSport takes a look at the playoffs qualification scenarios for the remaining teams.

WPL 2026 Playoffs Qualification Scenarios

MI: With two wins in 6 matches, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team has slipped into the third position. With two spots vacant, they are very well in the race for the playoffs qualification, but the pressure is real. No team has been eliminated and GG has inched ahead. They need to win their remaining matches.

UPW: One had high hopes from Meg Lanning & Co, but the way they batted against Gujarat, many questions will be raised, if they are really the contenders to come in the playoffs. They find themselves at the bottom of the table for now.

GG: Their form is back. Yes, Sophie Devine played a huge role in bailing the team out of trouble against UPW, but all-in-all, they had a near-perfect game. That could give sleepless nights to the other teams in fray. Winning is a must for them too, and NRR will certainly come into play.

DC: They sail in the same boat as others. They also need 2-3 wins to qualify, and the one with the better NRR will go through. All the teams have been inconsistent, so perhaps all teams would be decided in the last league match only.