QUALIFICATION SCENARIO
Follow UsThe Mumbai Indians have already qualified for the Playoffs, and with four games left, we are in the do-or-die territory in the second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Let’s see how each of the remaining four teams can make it to the Playoffs.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Remaining fixtures: 10 March (today) vs RCB
13 March vs Gujarat Giants (GG)
They are well-placed to make the playoffs, and just one victory from here should do it for them, as it will take them to 10 points. If they win both games, and Mumbai wins their last fixture against RCB, they still would have a chance to make it directly to the finals as they have a significantly better Net Run Rate (NRR) than Mumbai.
However, if they lose both games from here, they would hope that RCB also wins against Mumbai. If that doesn’t happen, then there is a high chance of a three-way clash between UP Warriorz, RCB, and DC if UPW wins their last fixture against GG.
DC would love to avoid that situation and make the playoffs after winning today’s game.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Remaining fixtures: 10 March vs Delhi Capitals
12 March vs Mumbai Indians
It’s simple for RCB. If they win both games from here, they’ll make it to the Playoffs straightaway.
If they win one out of the two, they will hope that the UP Warriorz either lose their last match against GG or, in case they win, they don’t win by a humongous margin, as the NRR difference isn’t much between the two teams. They also hope to avoid a big defeat in either of their remaining games.
RCB have found themselves in this position only because they did the most RCB thing by losing to the worst team in the tournament - Gujarat Giants. The road ahead isn't easy; they haven't won against either of Delhi or Mumbai, but that's where they can show their mettle.
If they lose both of their remaining fixtures, and the UPW win their last, then Alyssa Healy’s team will make it to the playoffs straight and fair. In case UPW also lose their last game, and GG wins their remaining two games, then there would be clash amongst UPW, RCB and GG for the third position, which the NRR Hunger Games would then decide.
UP Warriorz (UPW)
Remaining fixture: 11 March vs GG
Their 1-run victory against the Delhi Capitals has kept them in contention for a top 3 finish. However, for that to materialise, they need to win their last game against GG at all costs, get to eight points, and make sure they win it big. If RCB is also stuck at eight points, it will come down to NRR to decide the third spot.
They are through if they lose and RCB win either of their games. If RCB pulls off an RCB and loses both their remaining fixtures, they’ll both tie at 6, and there might be a three-way clash, as mentioned above.
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Remaining fixtures: 11 March vs UPW
13 March vs DC
Everything points towards the fact that last season’s wooden spoon holders will be honoured with the same grand prize again. With just one win in six games, they have just two points, and their only chance of qualification is a three-way clash at six points. Even then, they would have to win their remaining games by huge margins to improve their NRR, which is an abysmally low -1.111.
