WPL 2026 Scenarios: GG Revive Hopes, DC in a Squeeze

After 17 league matches, only Royal Challengers Bengaluru have sealed a playoff spot. The remaining four teams are in contention for the final two places. Gujarat Giants' narrow win over Delhi Capitals has kept them alive, even opening a slim path to a direct final berth. With three league games left, here is what each team needs.

Gujarat Giants

• Remaining Fixture: vs Mumbai Indians, Jan 30
• Current Position: 2nd, 8 points.
• Path to Qualification: A win over MI secures a playoff spot with 10 points. They could also qualify with a loss, provided UP Warriorz lose to RCB and then beat Delhi Capitals.
• Path to Final: An outside chance exists to finish top and progress directly to the final. This would require a heavy win over MI and a heavy RCB loss to UPW to overcome RCB's superior net run rate.
• Danger Scenario: If GG lose to MI and UPW win both their remaining games (or DC beat UPW), a three-way tie on 8 points is possible. GG's current poor NRR (-0.271) would make them vulnerable to elimination in such a scenario.

Delhi Capitals

• Remaining Fixture: vs UP Warriorz, Feb 1
• Current Position: 4th, 6 points.
• Path to Qualification: Must win their final game to reach 8 points and then rely on at least one of MI or GG to lose. If GG beat MI (or vice versa) and DC beat UPW, DC would qualify alongside the winner of GG/MI on 8 points.
• Alternative Path: If DC lose to UPW, their only chance involves GG beating MI heavily and RCB defeating UPW, creating a three-way tie on 6 points between DC, MI, and UPW. DC could then qualify on net run rate. They hold the advantage of playing the final league match.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Remaining Fixture: vs UP Warriorz, Jan 29
• Current Position: 1st, 10 points. (Qualified)
• Path to Final: A win against UPW confirms a top-two finish and a direct berth in the final. Even with a loss, they are likely to remain top unless Gujarat Giants win heavily enough to overturn RCB's substantial NRR advantage.

Mumbai Indians

• Remaining Fixture: vs Gujarat Giants, Jan 30
• Current Position: 3rd, 6 points.
• Path to Qualification: A win against GG would take them to 8 points, which should be enough to qualify given their superior NRR among the chasing pack. They also hold a dominant 8-0 head-to-head record against GG.
• Alternative Path: If MI lose to GG, they would need DC to lose to UPW and RCB to beat UPW, creating a three-way tie on 6 points. This scenario would still favour MI on net run rate.

UP Warriorz

• Remaining Fixtures: vs RCB (Jan 29) | vs DC (Feb 1)
• Current Position: 5th, 4 points.
• Path to Qualification: Must win both remaining games to reach 8 points for the best chance. The ideal scenario is to win both matches and have GG defeat MI, which would see UPW finish third with 8 points.
• Complex Scenarios: If UPW win both but MI also win, a three-way tie on 8 points with GG and MI could occur, requiring a significant NRR boost from UPW's current -0.769. Even with one win (6 points), qualification is possible but would require heavy wins and specific other results to improve their NRR above MI and DC.