Melbourne Derby REN vs STA – BBL 2025-26 Match Preview, Pitch Report, Fantasy Tips, Injury Updates & Live Streaming

The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 brings one of its biggest rivalries to life as Melbourne Renegades (REN) face Melbourne Stars (STA) at the iconic Docklands Stadium (Marvel Stadium). This Melbourne Derby is not just about city pride it is crucial for the BBL points table and a goldmine for fantasy cricket players.

Renegades arrive with confidence after back-to-back wins, while the Stars will be desperate to bounce back after two consecutive losses. With players like Marcus Stoinis, Gurinder Sandhu and Haris Rauf in top form, expect fireworks in this blockbuster contest.

Match Details

• Match: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars (BBL 2025-26)
• Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
• Date & Time: 10 January 2026, 7:15 PM AEDT, 1:45 PM IST

Live Streaming & Broadcast

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar App & Website
• Live Telecast: Star Sports Network

Weather & Pitch Report – Docklands Stadium

Docklands Stadium is fully covered, so weather will not affect the game.

• Temperature: 20°C – 24°C
• Rain: Not an issue due to closed roof
• Humidity: Slightly high if roof remains closed

Pitch Stats (Last 5 Matches)

• Average 1st innings score: 162
• Pacers wickets: 53
• Spinners wickets: 18

Pitch Insight: This is a fast-bowler’s paradise. Pacers take nearly three times more wickets than spinners here. The ball skids nicely under lights, helping bowlers who hit hard lengths. Fantasy teams should focus on death-over pacers and seam-bowling all-rounders.

Injury Updates & Team News

Melbourne Renegades

• No confirmed injury concerns
• Adam Zampa is fit and available

Melbourne Stars

• All key players available
• No major injury updates reported

(Final Playing XIs will be confirmed after the toss)

Probable Playing XI

Melbourne Renegades

Josh Brown, Tim Seifert (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Oliver Peake, Hassan Khan, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa

Melbourne Stars

Sam Harper (wk), Thomas Rogers, Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Blake Macdonald, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle

Top Fantasy Picks

Marcus Stoinis (STA)

The best fantasy player of this fixture.

• Runs: 186
• Wickets: 9
• Avg Fantasy Points: 104 He bats in the top-middle order and bowls key overs a dream fantasy asset.

Gurinder Sandhu (REN)

Renegades’ strike bowler.

• 14 wickets in the series
• Bowls powerplay + death overs = maximum wicket potential

Sam Harper (STA)

• 272 runs this season
• Wicket-keeping adds bonus points

Haris Rauf (STA)

• 13 wickets
• Docklands bounce suits his pace perfectly

Tom Curran (STA)

• 10 wickets + handy runs
• Elite death-over bowler

Captain & Vice-Captain Picks

Safe Picks

• Marcus Stoinis
• Gurinder Sandhu
• Tom Curran

High-Risk / Grand League Picks

• Josh Brown – 190 runs, explosive opener
• Glenn Maxwell – Low form but huge upside
• Peter Siddle – 13 wickets, 100% Dream Team rate

Fantasy Strategy

• Load your team with fast bowlers & seam-bowling all-rounders
• Avoid stacking too many spinners (only Zampa/Swepson worth considering)
• Pick top-order batters who can survive the swinging new ball
• Focus on death-over specialists like Sandhu, Curran, Rauf, Behrendorff

Disclaimer

This prediction is based on recent form, pitch data and publicly available information. Playing XIs, player availability and match conditions can change after the toss. Fantasy sports involve financial risk please play responsibly and use your own judgment before joining any contest.