RCB- (Source:@Johns/X.com)
On Saturday, March 8, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on UP Warriorz in their seventh group-stage match of the ongoing WPL edition. The defending champions are struggling in the current season as the Smriti Mandhana-led side are placed 4th on the table with just two wins in seven matches.
The defending champions are on the brink of an early exit from the tournament, but the Women In Red also stand a chance to qualify for the playoffs. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on RCB's qualification scenarios.
How Can RCB Qualify For WPL 2025 Playoffs?
Firstly, the Challengers need to win all of their remaining matches. They have games left against Warriorz and Mumbai Indians. They need to win both and a defeat would see them crash out of the tournament.
The road is not easy for Bengaluru as two wins in two matches won't also see them through to the playoffs as they will be forced to rely on other teams' result to learn their fate for WPL 3.
With two wins, RCB would have 8 points in eight matches. At present, DC have 10 points, while Gujarat Giants have 8 points in 7 matches and are 2nd on the table. MI are third with eight points in just 6 matches.
If Gujarat Giants Beat Mumbai Indians
Now for RCB, they would root for the Giants to beat MI by a good margin to qualify for the playoffs with 10 points. Now, the last group stage match will be played between RCB and MI in that game, the Challengers need to beat the Indians by a big margin to qualify for playoffs with eight points because of a better net run rate than MI, who would in that scenario finish with eight points.
If Mumbai Indians Beat Gujarat Giants
If MI beat the Giants, then RCB can still qualify by beating MI with a big margin to be placed above the Giants on net-run rate and finish third on the table. Thus, the only possibility for the Smriti Mandhana-led side is to qualify as 3rd placed team.