The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 is set to continue with Match No. 18 featuring the Melbourne Renegades and the Sydney Sixers. This game will take place at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne on January 1, at 10:30 AM IST. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, especially since the Sixers have a strong historical performance against the Renegades in previous BBL contests.
Match Overview
- Teams: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers
- Date: January 1, 2026
- Time: 10:30 AM IST
- Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Recent Form
The Melbourne Renegades have faced struggles recently, having lost their last two matches. They kicked off the season with a victory by 14 runs but subsequently fell to the defending champions, the Hobart Hurricanes, in their last two outings. Both losses were narrow, occurring in the final over of the game.
Conversely, the Sydney Sixers managed a solid victory against the Sydney Thunder by 47 runs before their latest match. Despite their defeat to the Renegades, the Sixers aim to capitalize on their dominant head-to-head record.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | Won by Renegades | Won by Sixers | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
Pitch Report
This will be the first match played at Docklands Stadium during this BBL season. Historically, teams batting first have fared well here, with eight out of eleven completed T20 matches favoring the first innings. Pitch conditions suggest that it may be conducive to scoring, with minimal assistance for bowlers.
Predicted Playing XIs
Melbourne Renegades
- Josh Brown
- Tim Seifert
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Oliver Peake
- Hassan Khan
- Will Sutherland (c)
- Gurinder Sandhu
- Andrew Tye
- Adam Zampa
- Jason Behrendorff
Sydney Sixers
- Daniel Hughes
- Babar Azam
- Josh Philippe (wk)
- Moises Henriques (c)
- Jack Edwards
- Joel Davies
- Jordan Silk
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Ben Manenti
- Sean Abbott
- Kane Richardson
Key Players to Watch
- Best Batter: Tim Seifert
- Best Bowler: Jack Edwards
Tim Seifert has made a strong impression in the tournament, scoring well in previous matches. Meanwhile, Jack Edwards is expected to bounce back after a rare wicketless game, following his spectacular five-wicket haul recently.
Predictions
Based on current form, the team batting first may hold the upper hand in this match-up. Fans can expect an entertaining contest as both teams vie for crucial points in this season of the BBL.
