Sydney Thunder will take on Melbourne Renegades in the 33rd match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 at the Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, on Monday, January 12. With the league stage nearing its end, this match carries contrasting stakes, as Thunder play for pride while Renegades fight to stay alive in the playoff race.
Match Details
The 33rd match of BBL 2025–26 between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades will be played on Monday, January 12, at Sydney Showground Stadium. The Renegades need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, while Thunder look to end a difficult season on a positive note.
Match Details
Match: Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades, 33rd Match, BBL 2025–26
Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 1:45 PM IST, 1:45 PM PST, 8:15 AM GMT
Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Team Overview
Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder have endured a nightmare campaign and are already out of playoff contention, managing just one win in eight matches so far. Their most recent defeat came against Brisbane Heat, where despite a strong batting effort, their bowlers failed to defend the total, resulting in a seven-wicket loss. Confidence is clearly low, and Thunder have also lost all their home games this season, which further highlights their struggles.
Captain David Warner has been the standout batter, scoring a fluent 82 in the previous match, and he will once again be key at the top of the order. Matthew Gilkes and Cameron Bancroft need to provide support in the powerplay and middle overs, while Sam Billings and Nic Maddinson will be expected to stabilize and accelerate when required. All-rounders Daniel Sams and Chris Green add depth, but Thunder’s bowling unit has lacked consistency. David Willey, Wes Agar, and Tanveer Sangha must deliver disciplined spells if Thunder are to challenge a stronger Renegades lineup.
Melbourne Renegades
The Melbourne Renegades come into this match placed seventh on the points table and in a must-win situation. They suffered an eight-wicket loss to Melbourne Stars in their last outing and will be eager to bounce back quickly. Despite recent inconsistencies, the Renegades boast a stronger and deeper batting lineup compared to their opponents.
Josh Brown was the standout performer in the last game with a powerful 80, and he will look to provide another fast start alongside Tim Seifert. The middle order, featuring Mohammad Rizwan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Caleb Jewell, has underperformed recently but remains capable of dominating attacks. Captain Will Sutherland plays a crucial role as an all-rounder, while Hassan Khan adds finishing power and control with the ball. The bowling attack, led by Jason Behrendorff and Brendan Doggett, must improve after a disappointing showing in the previous match.
Head-to-Head Record
In their last four BBL meetings, Sydney Thunder have won two matches, Melbourne Renegades have won one, and one game ended with no result. However, current form clearly favors the Renegades.
Probable Playing XI
Sydney Thunder: David Warner (c), Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (wk), Nic Maddinson, Daniel Sams, David Willey, Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha, Ryan Hadley, Wes Agar.
Melbourne Renegades: Will Sutherland (c), Josh Brown, Tim Seifert, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Caleb Jewell, Hassan Khan, Gurinder Sandhu, Brendan Doggett, Jason Behrendorff, Callum Stow.
Pitch and Weather Report
Sydney Showground Stadium generally offers good batting conditions, aided by shorter boundaries, but the surface tends to slow down as the match progresses. Fast bowlers can extract movement early, while spinners become effective later in the innings. The average first-innings score here is around 157, with 180 considered competitive. Weather forecasts suggest possible rain interruptions, which could make batting tricky under lights.
Toss and Match Scenarios
Recent matches at this venue suggest teams prefer batting first. A side posting 170–180 could put significant pressure on the chasing team, especially if rain plays a role. Thunder will look to bat first and defend, while Renegades may rely on their deeper batting to chase if required.
Match Prediction
Sydney Thunder’s lack of form, poor home record, and bowling inconsistencies make them underdogs in this contest. Melbourne Renegades, despite recent setbacks, have greater depth and stronger motivation with playoff qualification at stake. Expect a competitive match, but Melbourne Renegades hold a slight edge and are favourites to win.
Live Streaming and Broadcast
The match will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports and streamed via the Kayo Sports app. In India, the game will be available on the Star Sports Network and live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website. Other regions can watch through official Big Bash League broadcast partners and authorized streaming platforms.