 "WPL 2024 playoffs qualification: RCB through; UP, Gujarat knocked out")
The race to the playoffs has ended in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 with Royal Challengers Bangalore beating Mumbai Indians by seven wickets in the final league game of both the teams on Tuesday, March 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. With this, the chances of UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giant's qualification also ended.
Mumbai Indians, by beating Gujarat Giants on Saturday, March 9, became the first team to qualify for the playoffs. However, whether they will enter the final directly like they did in the last season or will they have to play the eliminator is yet to be decided.
Apart from Mumbai, Delhi Capitals also qualified for the playoffs by winning against the RCB by one run on Sunday, March 10. All of the remaining three teams in the league- UP Warriorz, RCB and Gujarat Giants remained in with a chance before the Smriti Mandhana-led side grabbed their chance with both hands.
Before the RCB vs MI match, here is how the qualifications scenarios had panned out for the three teams.
Royal Challengers Bangalore WPL 2024 Playoff Scenario
Smriti Mandhana-led red-and-gold brigade needs to win their last match against Mumbai. If they win it, they will move to 8 points as they already have six points from seven games. If they lose, it will come down to the net run rate.
WPL 2024 Playoff Scenario for UP Warriorz
Warriorz in this season has been on and off. While they managed to beat strong sides like Delhi and Mumbai, they have lost to RCB twice as well. After six points in eight games, UP Warriorz can only qualify for the playoffs, if RCB lose their only fixture with big margin and Gujarat Giants, who are at 5th spot after seven games, lose or win their match against Delhi Capitals by small margin.
WPL 2024 Playoff Scenario for Gujarat Giants
The Giants had the best shot at keeping their playoff hopes alive in their last match against Mumbai. Their batters did well by posting 190/7. However, their bowlers were unable to defend the target and as a result, they now have only two points from six games. They can get a maximum of six points from their eight matches,
Giants can qualify for the playoffs if they win their last fixture against Delhi Capitals on March 13. And hope RCB to lose against Mumbai by a big margin. Given RCB will be playing their last fixture on March 12, Gujarat will know what they need to do when they field against Meg Lanning's side on Wednesday.
WPL 2024 Points Table
**Updated after the MI vs RCB match on Tuesday, March 112 2024
| TEAMS | Matches | Wins | Losses | Tied | N/R | Points | NRR | Series Form |
| DELHI CAPITALS | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.918 | L W W W W L W |
| MUMBAI INDIANS | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.024 | W W L W L WW L |
| ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.306 | W W L L W L L W |
| UP WARRIORZ | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.371 | L L W W L L W L |
| GUJARAT GIANTS | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.873 | L L L L L W L W |
**Updated after the MI vs RCB match on Tuesday, March 112 2024