BBL 2025/26 | Challenger: Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes | Preview and Predictions

Sdyney Sixers will take on Hobart Hurricanes in the Challenger match of the ongoing 2025/26 Big Bash League at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 23rd January 2026. 

The victors will face Perth Scorchers in Sunday’s final, while the defeated team’s campaign ends here. Thus, expect another thriller on the cards with two heavyweights going against each other. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the Challenger match between the Sixers and the Hurricanes.   

BBL|15 Challenger: Sixers vs Hurricanes | 13:45 IST, January 23, 2026

The Sixers entered the playoffs riding high on confidence after finishing the league phase in second place. But Perth Scorchers brought them back down to earth in the Qualifier, handing them a heavy 48-run loss. They’ve got one more chance to reach the finals via the Challenger, though, their batting lineup needs to show some serious improvements after they were bundled out for just 99 by the Scorchers. 

With Babar Azam recalled by Pakistan for national duty, he won’t feature in the Sixers’ remaining finals matches. Daniel Hughes is the likely choice to fill his position in the team. Josh Philippe still leads the run-scoring chart for the Sixers with 235 runs, however, the wicket-keeper batter has also struggled for form lately, going past the 20-run mark once in his last seven games. The good news is Steven Smith has found his rhythm at the top, already accumulating 210 runs in just four games at a strike-rate of 172.

The bowling department has really been on song lately. Jack Edwards leads the wicket-takers column with 17 wickets coming at an impressive economy of 7.89. The trio of Joel Davis, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis have bowled with consistency and provided solid breakthroughs, however, having someone like Mitchell Starc with the new ball can be the difference as he’s proven over the years with the Australian national team. 

Defending champions Hobart Hurricanes on the other hand have fought well to get past the Stars in the Knockout match, winning by just three runs in a rain-hit affair. Their form has been a bit uneven lately, but there’s no shortage of talent in this squad. That Knockout result should give them a real lift heading into the next stage.

The batting department has contributed as a whole, however, the top order needs to step up after recent failures. Nikhil Chaudhary leads the run-scoring chart with 303 runs with Ben McDermott (282) following close behind. Beau Webster has also added much needed firepower and depth to this batting lineup in the absence of Tim David. 

In the bowling setup, skipper Nathan Ellis leads the charge with 14 wickets. Rishad Hossain and Riley Meridith are close behind with 13 and 11 wickets respectively while Chris Jordan despite not picking up enough wickets has provided control and restricted the flow of runs in the death overs. Mitch Owen and Webster will fill the 5th bowler’s overs. 

In terms of weather forecast and pitch report, conditions are expected to be overcast on Friday, however, rain shouldn’t be an issue. The SCG should offer a balanced contest. Early on, there might be some movement through the air and a bit of help from the surface under lights, but as the game goes on and the ball gets older, spinners become more relevant once the pitch starts to show wear.

Looking ahead to this fixture, Hobart Hurricanes have looked strong all season and head into the Challenger on the back of an excellent showing in the Knockout against the Stars. The Sixers, on the other hand, took a big loss in the Qualifier and will want to move past that result as fast as they can. The Sixers’ fate will rest on Steve Smith. If he gets going at the top, they will be in the game.

That said, the Hurricanes have been more reliable across the board and have more players in form right now, making them the smarter pick here. 

Fantasy XI: Mitch Owen, Steve Smith (c), Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott, Jack Edwards, Beau Webster (vc), Joel Davis, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, Rishad Hossain, Mitchell Starc 

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney 

Winners Prediction: Sydney Sixers