Published on: Jan 21, 2026 11:54 am IST | Updated on: Jan 21, 2026 11:54 am IST
It’s time for the first and only official knockout game of Big Bash League 2025-26. Reigning champions Hobart Hurricanes, who finished 3rd in the league stage, will be hosting the Melbourne Stars, who finished 4th at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Stars and Hurricanes collided once this season, wherein the Stars dismantled the Hurricanes by 8 wickets. The winner of this game will proceed to the Challenger to take on the Sydney Sixers, whereas the loser will bow out of the tournament. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the Knockout match of BBL 2025-26, HH vs MS, at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
The Hobart Hurricanes are the defending champions, and playing at home makes them the extreme favorites. Stars, on the other hand, after starting with 4 wins on the trot, lost their way in the middle. They remained at the pole position for most of the season but ultimately had to settle for the 4th spot. The Hurricanes will be a tough opponent for the Stars, and the win probability meter should also favor them. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the Knockout match of BBL 2025-26, HH vs MS, at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
MS: 46% win chance HH: 54% win chance
The Stars wicket-keeper batter is the leading run-getter for the side this season. Harper has amassed 371 runs from 9 innings with twin fifties and a ton.
The skipper of the Stars has been batting really well with flexibility in the batting order. Stoinis has scored 264 runs from 7 innings so far with 2 fifties.
Nikhil Chaudhary has been the best batter for Hurricanes this season. The right-hander has scored 279 runs from 9 innings with a fifty to his name.
The young batter has scored 177 runs so far from 7 innings this season, with 90 being his highest score. He will be a key batter at the top.
Check out our prediction for the HH vs MS Knockout match at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart.
Melbourne Stars will enter the Knockout clash of the Big Bash League 2025-26 with confidence, aiming to make it two wins in two against the Hobart Hurricanes this season. Earlier in the league stage, the Stars dismantled the reigning champions by eight wickets, showcasing their batting depth and bowling precision. Now, with the stakes higher at the Bellerive Oval, they will look to replicate that dominance and secure a place in the Challenger against the Sydney Sixers.
The Hurricanes, who finished third in the league stage, will be desperate to bounce back in front of their home crowd. However, history doesn’t favor them at this venue. In nine matches played between the two sides at Bellerive Oval, the Stars hold a slight edge with five wins compared to the Hurricanes’ four. That record adds another layer of intrigue to this knockout battle.
For the Stars, momentum and past success provide belief, while the Hurricanes will rely on their championship pedigree to turn the tide. With elimination on the line, expect a fiercely contested encounter where the Stars will be eager to prove they can once again topple the Hurricanes and keep their title hopes alive.
Hobart Hurricanes will be banking on their home advantage as they gear up for the Knockout clash of the Big Bash League 2025-26 against the Melbourne Stars at the Bellerive Oval. The reigning champions finished third in the league stage and now face a must-win situation to keep their title defense alive. Playing in familiar conditions, the Hurricanes will hope their batting unit can adapt quickly to the surface, which often rewards stroke play but also offers assistance to seamers under lights.
Despite losing to the Stars earlier this season, the Hurricanes will draw confidence from their strong record at home, where they have often thrived under pressure. Their experienced campaigners, backed by local support, will be crucial in turning the tide against a Stars side that has momentum on their side. With elimination on the line, the Hurricanes know that every run and wicket will matter.
The Bellerive Oval crowd has historically played a big role in lifting the Hurricanes, and they will look to harness that energy once again. For Hobart, this is more than just a knockout, it’s an opportunity to get closer to their second final appearance on the trot. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 23 HH won: 8 MS won: 15 No Result: 0 Tied: 0 RECENT form HOBART HURRICANES: L W W NR L RECENT form MELBOURNE STARS: L L W W L
In the 23 meetings between Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars, the Stars have been quite dominant. They have won 15 of the 23 games, whereas the Hurricanes have won the remaining 8 games.
How will the two teams, i.e., Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes, fare in the Knockout match of the Big Bash League 2025-26? Let’s take a look.
Sam Harper (WK), Thomas Fraser Rogers, Joe Clarke, Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Stoinis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle
Mitchell Owen, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Ben McDermott (C), Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade (WK), Charlie Wakim/Macalister Wright, Chris Jordan, Jackson Bird/Billy Stanlake, Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the Knockout match of the Big Bash League 2025 between Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart:
At Bellerive Oval, the toss will be decisive. With rain looming and DLS a possibility, batting first offers security. Expect Hobart Hurricanes to prefer runs on the board, while Melbourne Stars may lean toward chasing if conditions ease, banking on their batting depth to counter weather interruptions.
The online live streaming of the Knockout match of the Big Bash League 2025 will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on Star Sports Channels.
Both Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars have played some really good cricket this season. In their only meeting this season, Melbourne Stars decimated the Hurricanes by 8 wickets. They carry momentum after their dominant win earlier this season, while the Hobart Hurricanes lean on home advantage and crowd support. With knockout pressure high, Stars’ balanced batting and bowling unit gives them a slight edge. Expect a tight contest, but Stars look better placed to advance to the Challenger. Therefore, as per our prediction, the Melbourne Stars are expected to win the HH vs MS, Knockout Match of the Big Bash League 2025.
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