Last Update: March 15, 2023, 08:34 AM IST
Royal Challengers Bangalore are theoretically still in playoff contention. (WPL Photo)
Royal Challengers Bangalore is the only team in WPL 2023 that has not won a single match so far
Royal Challengers Bangalore are going through a nightmarish start to life in the inaugural Women’s Premier League. The Smriti Mandhana-led side have lost all their five matches and their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs hang in the balance.
At the other end of the WPL 2023 spectrum is Mumbai Indians, a team that can do no wrong by winning all five of their matches so far and becoming the first team to make it to the playoffs. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led franchise beat Gujarat Giants on Tuesday to maintain their grip on the top spot.
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Delhi Capitals are currently second on the table and should join MI in the playoffs if they continue their current run of form.
However, the team that tops the league stage will directly qualify for the final, while the next two on the list will clash in an eliminator for the second spot.
As per the current standings, UP Warriors are at the third position while Gujarat Giants are at the fourth position.
How can RCB qualify for the playoffs?
They may have lost five matches, at the bottom of the heap but mathematically RCB are still alive in the race for the playoffs. However, they’ll need a bit of a rub on the green to materialize.
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How?
For starters, RCB need to win all their remaining three matches. They will take on UP Warriors on Wednesday, Gujarat Giants on Saturday and Mumbai Indians next Tuesday.
If they achieve this, their points will go up to six from eight matches.
Half the work is done.
Now comes the time to pray.
pray for?
Pray that UP Warriors lose all their remaining four matches and remain with only four points.
Secondly, RCB will hope that Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriors but lose their other two matches. This will put them on four points as well as RCB in third place and qualify without bringing the play complex net run-rate into the reckoning.
Do they have other possibilities?
Yes but it will be complicated.
How?
Should UP Warriors win one of their remaining matches, that would take them to six points – just like RCB should they win all their remaining fixtures. Additionally, if Gujarat Giants win their remaining two matches, they will also have six points.
There is also a possibility of all three finishing with four digits which will bring the NRR into play as well. As of now, UP Warriors have the best NRR among all the three teams.
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