Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has reached its business end after a tough double round-robin group stage that tested the mettle of all five franchises. Out of tough competition, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Gujarat Giants (GG) And Delhi Capitals (DC) Have emerged as the top three contenders for the title.
RCB’s impressive performance earned them a direct ticket to the finals, leaving GG and DC to face a tough fight in the high-stakes eliminator. defending champion Mumbai Indians And UP Warriors has been ousted, paving the way for a new era of dominance in the league. As the action shifts to the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, the tournament is gearing up for a grand finale on February 5. The transition from the league format to the knockout stage has increased the pressure, with every mistake now carrying the weight of elimination.
WPL 2026 journey to playoffs
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
RCB’s journey in 2026 has been a story of clinical consistency and redemption. After a disappointing 2025 season, Smriti Mandhana’s team came out with a point to prove, having registered a record-breaking six-match winning streak early on. Despite the stunned absence of elise perryThe team got new heroes Georgia Woll, Grace Harris, Lauren Bell And Gautami Naik. They finished the league stage on top with 12 points and a better net run rate of +1.247, securing their direct route to the finals. Their ability to defend the target and chase the target with composure has made them the team to beat this year.
2. Gujarat Giants (GG)
Gujarat Giants pulled off a remarkable upset and finished second in the table with 10 points. led by Ashley GardnerWhen it mattered most, the Giants overcame early season difficulties to achieve a winning streak. Their campaign was defined by high-scoring matches and individual brilliance. Sophie DevineWho led their bowling attack. A crucial win over Mumbai Indians in their final group game cemented their playoff spot, marking their most successful WPL campaign to date and setting up an exciting eliminator clash.
3. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals under the new leadership of jemima rodriguesshowed great courage to secure the third playoff spot with 8 points. getting infected with meg lanning The era was not easy, but the Capitals maintained their reputation as playoff regulars. Their journey was a rollercoaster, highlighted by a massive win over RCB that ended the latter’s unbeaten sequence. after defeating UP Warriors In the final league game of ‘do or die’, they defeated the defending champions Mumbai Indians At points, proving that his “never die” attitude is his greatest asset.
Also read: Meg Lanning explains the reason behind UP Warriors’ early exit from WPL 2026
SWOT Analysis for WPL 2026 Playoffs
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
S – Strength (1)
RCB’s primary strength is their world-class spin department. with Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav And linsey smithThey have a variety of spin options that can adapt to any pitch condition. This allows them to dominate the middle overs and restrict even the most aggressive batting lineups.
W – Weaknesses (2)
The lack of an experienced anchor at number 3 is a major weakness after the departure of elise perry. Although he has tried various domestic options, no one has yet shown the same ability to stabilize the innings after early wickets. If their openers get out cheaply, it could lead to a collapse in the middle of the innings.
O – Opportunity (3)
This tournament provides a great opportunity Smriti Mandhana To cement his legacy as a championship-winning captain. Without Perry’s on-field guidance, this is his chance to prove his tactical maturity. Additionally, it served as a redemption stage for Shreyanka to earn a permanent spot in the senior national team.
T – Threats (4)
Fitness concerns regarding key players such as Pooja Vastrakar There remains a constant threat. His uncertain availability for the final could put a dent in their fast bowling attack. Late injuries to their top three batsmen could also seriously hamper their ability to post high scores or chase them down.
Gujarat Giants (GG)
S – Strength (1)
The biggest strength of the Giants is their immense ‘batting power’. with Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine And at the top of the order, Ashley Gardner has the potential to score above 200. Their speed heading into the playoffs is also a significant psychological advantage.
W – Weaknesses (2)
The team suffers from over-reliance on its four foreign players. If the international stars fail to succeed, the domestic Indian middle-order often looks weak and unable to push the scoring rate. The lack of domestic batting depth is an obvious area that rivals like DC will target.
O – Opportunity (3)
This playoff stage is a big opportunity for Indian fast bowlers Kashvi Gautam To stake his claim for the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. The exceptional performance here will immediately catch the attention of the selectors. It is also the Giants’ best chance to finally win their first title after years of disappointment.
T – Threats (4)
The primary threat is the selection dilemma regarding the fourth overseas slot. to choose between Danny Wyatt-Hodge, Kim Garth And Georgia Wareham This is a high-risk decision that can have adverse effects if the player selected is not suited to the match conditions. Setting the wrong combination for the eliminator could lead to a premature end to their campaign.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
S – Strength (1)
Delhi’s strength lies in their ‘big-match temperament’. Having reached the last three finals, the core group of Rodrigues, Verma and Kapp know how to handle the pressure of the knockouts. His spin variety, including off-spin and leg-spin, also gives him tactical flexibility.
W – Weaknesses (2)
Capitals are facing ‘lack of domestic momentum’. Ahead marijane kappThey lack experienced Indian fast bowlers who can perform consistently in the death overs. This puts immense pressure on Kapp to be perfect in every game and makes the bowling attack somewhat predictable.
O – Opportunity (3)
towards leadership change jemima rodrigues Provides an opportunity for a fresh start and a ‘new era’. Leading DC to their first title would be a historic achievement in his career. It also offers young players nikki prasad A platform to prove that they are ready for the highest level of international cricket.
T – Threats (4)
The biggest danger is middle-order inconsistency. While the top four are world-class, the lower-middle order often struggles to finish games when the primary batsmen are out. Against a team like RCB, who have excellent death bowlers, lack of finishing power can be fatal.
Also read: Ashley Gardner reveals her favorite female cricketer in fun rapid-fire challenge
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
