BBL 2025/26 | Knockout: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars | Preview and Predictions

Hobart Hurricanes will take on Melbourne Stars in the Knockout match of the ongoing 2025/26 Big Bash League at Bellerive Oval on 21th January 2026. 

Both sides have had an impressive journey in the group stage but cannot afford any more slip-ups as a defeat here would mean the end of the road for them. The winner, meanwhile, will get to play the Challenger on Friday for a shot at the finals.

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the Knockout match between the Hurricanes and the Stars. 

BBL|15 Knockout: Hurricanes vs Stars | 14:00 IST, January 21, 2026

Looking back at their BBL|15 league stage fixtures, the defending champions have given a very good account of themselves considering how Tim David’s hamstring injury could have derailed their playoff aspirations. Six wins, a no-result, and three defeats saw them third in the league standings, narrowly missing out on the Qualifier match on net run rate to the Sydney Sixers. 

Although there has been equal contribution throughout the batting lineup with everyone chipping in, Mitch Owen and Tim Ward have failed to provide them with solid starts at the top of the order on a consistent basis. Nikhil Chaudhary and Ben McDermott have their most successful batters this season while veteran Matthew Wade has jumped in with crucial cameos at different intervals. 

In the bowling department, skipper Nathan Ellis leads the wicket-takers column with 14 scalps. Bangladeshi leggie Rishad Hossain has had a wonderful debut season in the BBL, picking up 13 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of just 7.53. Both Riley Meredith and Chris Jordan add further depth to this impressive bowling attack, however, the lack of an attacking fifth bowler might hurt them against a power-packed Stars batting lineup. 

Speaking of the Melbourne Stars, following a brief slump through the middle phase of the season, they produced two dominant displays against Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers before getting outplayed by the Perth Scorchers in their final league game. However, those two victories were enough to help them secure a playoff place. They will now look to recapture the spark from the opening weeks and charge into the knockout stage with strong playoff displays.

In the batting department, Sam Harper has been the main run-maker, scoring 371 runs in nine games – the third-highest runscorer this season – at a strike rate of 155. Skipper Marcus Stoinis has been in very good form this season, adding 264 runs from the middle-order at a strike-rate of 135. Both Thomas Fraser Rogers and Campbell Kellaway have done a commendable job, however, there has been very little assistance from the lower order.

In terms of bowling units, the Melbourne Stars arguably have the best bowling attack in the tournament with the quartet of Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Tom Curran and Marcus Stoinis sitting in the top 10 list for the highest wicket-taker this season. Right-arm leg spinner Mitchell Swepson has also done an excellent job of controlling the middle overs with eight wickets coming at an economy rate of 7.38. 

In terms of weather forecast and pitch report, there will be increasing cloudiness, cooler temperatures during the afternoon, and occasional rain, with drizzle expected. This BBL season, teams batting first at Bellerive Oval have regularly managed scores in the 180 to 190 range. Considering the overhead conditions, anything around that mark would match this a very evenly poised contest. 

Looking ahead to the fixture, Hobart Hurricanes have been in good form throughout the campaign and will look to keep that going when they take on Melbourne Stars in the Knockout. That said, the Stars have quality players in their squad and can take down any team on their day, making this an even contest. Thus, we are backing the Melbourne Stars to upset the Hurricanes at home. 

Fantasy XI: Ben McDermott, Sam Harper (c), Tim Ward, Nikhil Chaudhary, Campbell Kellaway, Beau Webster, Marcus Stoinis (vc), Tom Curran, Nathan Ellis, Haris Rauf, Rishad Hossain

Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart 

Winners Prediction: Melbourne Stars