As the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) reaches the end of an intense league stage, the race to the knockout stage remains wide open.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has already qualified after winning its first five games, but the remaining four teams are all in contention for the two playoff spots.

The 2024 WPL winner had the opportunity to secure a direct ticket to the final but was stopped by Delhi Capitals in its previous encounter. With two more group games remaining for RCB, it still stands a chance to do so.

Here’s what the remaining four teams need to do to make it to the knockouts:

Delhi Capitals

Three-time runners-up Delhi Capitals shook off its slow start to rise to second in the points table, with six points from as many games. Winning its remaining games will ensure DC finishes in the top two, regardless of other results or net run-rate scenarios.

Losing one of the two will bring Net Run Rate (NRR) into play — DC will have to ensure it doesn’t lose by a large margin and hope GG and MI’s NRRs don’t change significantly.

Next fixtures: vs Gujarat Giants (January 27), vs UP Warriorz (February 1)

Gujarat Giants

Gujarat Giants finds itself level on points with DC but with a lower Net Run-Rate (NRR), keeping it in third place. Winning its remaining games will assure GG of making it through to the Playoffs.

Losing to DC will mean GG needs other results to go its way. The Giants will also need to make a better NRR cushion since its upcoming opponents have a better number in that column.

Next fixtures: vs Delhi Capitals (January 27), vs Mumbai Indians (January 30)

Mumbai Indians

After a rare hat-trick of defeats for the defending champion, the Mumbai Indians is in a heated race to the playoffs and has the added advantage of a better NRR than the two teams above it.

Winning its remaining two matches should be enough for MI, since only DC and GG have a chance to finish with more than eight points. If the two-time winner loses in one of the two matches, qualification will hinge on other results.

Next fixtures: vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (January 26), vs Gujarat Giants (January 30)

UP Warriorz

UP Warriorz, at the bottom of the table, has the major disadvantage of having the worst NRR. Considering two or more teams could end up with equal points, it will play a key role in its qualification.

Even if UPW win both its fixtures, it will need other results to go its way. Losing one of the two will make it near impossible to go through, with the Warriorz needing to boost NRR first and foremost.

Next fixtures: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (January 29), Delhi Capitals (February 1)

Published on Jan 26, 2026