RCB in final, Mumbai Indians Out? WPL 2026 playoff qualification scenarios explained

MI and RCB are in the race for WPL 2026 playoffs [Source: AFP]

The WPL 2026 has entered its business end, with only three matches left before the high-voltage knockout stage. While RCB have qualified for the playoffs, the remaining four teams- Mumbai Indians, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals- are still alive in the race to enter the knockouts. The tournament has kept fans on the edge of their seats and is all set to witness a series of riveting clashes in the coming days. 

As the stage is set for a cracking finish to the WPL 2026, we analyse and decode the playoff qualification scenario of each team ahead of the crucial encounter between RCB and UP Warriorz. But before that, here's a look at the standings of these five teams in the points table. 

WPL 2026 points table

As mentioned in the above table, RCB claim the top spot with ten wins and a solid NRR of +0.947. The Smriti Mandhana-led side is being followed by the Gujarat Giants, a team that has four wins but needs to improve its NRR. 

Harmanpreet Kaur's Mumbai Indians are placed third with six points, with Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz claiming the bottom two slots. Only RCB and MI have a positive NRR, while UP, GG, and DC have their net run rate on the negative side. 

How can RCB confirm a slot in the WPL 2026 final?

RCB have won five of their seven matches so far and will face UP Warriorz in their final group-stage clash. If they beat Gujarat Giants, RCB will have a sure-shot entry into the WPL 2026 final. 

On the contrary, if RCB lose this match, they would like Mumbai Indians to beat Gujarat Giants to confirm their berth in the final. 

Can Mumbai Indians still be eliminated from WPL 2026?

Meanwhile, a group-stage elimination looms large for the Mumbai Indians despite claiming the third position with three wins. If UP Warriorz win their remaining matches, MI and DC will mark their exit from the competition. 

So, the Mumbai Indians must secure a victory against the Gujarat Giants to stay alive in the playoff race. If UP win both their games and MI defeat GG, all three teams will finish with eight points, and their NRR will decide the remaining two sides for the knockouts. 

The curious case of UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants

UP Warriorz, having won two of their first six matches, must win their remaining games against RCB and DC to stake a claim for the knockout stage. If UP force an upset against the rampant Royal Challengers, their final group-stage match against Delhi Capitals will be a virtual knockout. 

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Giants must win against the Mumbai Indians to secure a spot in the playoffs. Considering their NRR reads -0.271, the Giants would like to stun MI and avoid the NRR-based calculations. 

Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, should emerge victorious against UP Warriorz at any cost to take their tally to eight points. If they lose this match, chances are high that the three-time runners-up might get disqualified from the marquee event.