The Sydney Sixers will face the Hobart Hurricanes in the Challenger of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26). This article provides detailed information on the SYS vs HBH Challenger preview, live streaming, pitch and weather report, head-to-head stats, and records for this particular match.
The Hobart Hurricanes will eye a spot in the finals of the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League courtesy of a win against the Sydney Sixers.
Like the Hobart Hurricanes, their opponent, the Sydney Sixers, would also hope to book their spot in the BBL 15 Final by winning the Challenger.
SYS vs HBH Match Preview – Challenger BBL 2025-26:
Date and Venue:
The SYS vs HBH Challenger will be played on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney. The Challenger will start at 1:45 PM IST.
Squads:
Hobart Hurricanes:
Jackson Bird, Nikhil Chaudhary, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Will Prestwidge, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Mac Wright
Sydney Sixers:
Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques (c), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
SYS vs HBH Probable XIs:
Hobart Hurricanes Playing XI:
Tim Ward, Mitchell Owen, Beau Webster, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Rishad Hossain, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake
Sydney Sixers Playing XI:
Steve Smith, Josh Philippe (wk), Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques (c), Lachlan Shaw, Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Ben Manenti
SYS vs HBH Key Battles:
Nikhil Chaudhary vs Jack Edwards
The Hobart Hurricanes have a real match-winner in Nikhil Chaudhary, who has been in sensational form in the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26. He brings the perfect mix of calm thinking and explosive hitting, making him extremely valuable in pressure situations.
Nikhil has already amassed 300 runs in 11 matches at a stunning strike rate of over 155, and he would love to continue his form in the BBL Challenger against the Sydney Sixers to book the final spot.
Jack Edwards is the most standout bowler for the Sixers in the ongoing BBL 15, taking 17 wickets in 38 overs this season. In the Challenger, the battle between the top players from both sides will influence the outcome of the game and thrill the SCG fans.
Ben McDermott vs Joel Davies
Ben McDermott injects stability and experience into the Hurricanes’ batting lineup. McDermott has so far scored 282 runs in 11 matches at a decent strike rate of over 133. His battle against Sixers bowler Joel Davies will be an interesting one in the BBL 2025-26 Challenger.
Davies is one of the standout bowlers for the Sydney Sixers with 12 wickets from 11 games, and the team will be hoping that their left-arm spinner troubles McDermott and Hurricanes batters in the middle overs to give them the best chance to seal the BBL 15 Final spot.
Read Also: Australia drag ‘retired’ Matthew Wade back for T20 World Cup 2026 in bizarre dual role
Josh Philippe vs Rishad Hossain
The Challenger game could also depend on the battle between Josh Philippe and Rishad Hossain. Philippe looks to attack from ball one to put bowlers under pressure straight away.
In knockout matches, this fearless approach can change the game quickly. Even with a modest 253 runs from 11 games, the Sixers wicketkeeper-batter’s strike rate of 145.40 makes him a serious threat if he gets going early.
On the other hand, Rishad Hossain has been a standout bowler with the ball for the Hurricanes in this Big Bash League season. The spinner has taken 13 wickets in 9 games at an economy rate of 7.52. Hossain’s battle with Philippe will be an interesting one for the fans to watch out for in Challenger.
Steve Smith vs Nathan Ellis
Steve Smith has been the most dangerous batter for the Sixers in his short run this season, and his battle with Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis could decide the Challenger. Smith has scored 173 runs in just three innings, including a century and a fifty, at an explosive strike rate of 176.53 while averaging 86.5.
The Australian superstar’s ability to score quickly without losing control makes him a major threat at the top for the Hurricanes. On the other hand, Nathan Ellis is all set to lead the bowling attack against the Sixers in the Challenger after missing the Knockout due to a hamstring issue.
With 14 wickets at an average of 21.28 and an economy of 9.03, Ellis, who bowls in all phases of the game, has been their most reliable wicket-taker this season.
SYS vs HBH Key Players:
SYS – Steve Smith, Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis
HBH – Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott, Rishad Hossain, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Wade
SYS vs HBH Free Live Streaming in India, Live Telecast Qualifier, BBL 2025-26:
TV Rights in India
The broadcast rights of the Big Bash League in India are with Star Sports. The SYS vs HBH game will be televised on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 2.
Live Streaming Platform in India:
The match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers will be live-streamed on the Jio Hotstar app and website. The Indian cricket fans will have to pay a subscription fee to watch the match online.
When will the match take place?
The game will take place on January 23. It will start at 1:45 PM IST.
Where will the match be played?
The Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers game will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney.
How to watch the live telecast of the SYS vs HBH Challenger on television?
The SYS vs HBH Challenger will be telecasted on the Star Sports Network in India.
How to live stream the match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers on mobile online?
Jio Hotstar will live-stream the upcoming Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers Challenger in India. Folks can watch the match on their mobiles, laptops, and connected TVs.
SYS vs HBH Weather Report, Pitch Report of SCG Challenger, Big Bash League 2025-26:
SYS vs HBH Weather Report of Sydney:
There is no rain threat for the SYS vs HBH Challenger in Sydney on January 23. Sydney will see partly sunny and pleasant conditions, with a light breeze expected to develop during the afternoon on Friday.
The maximum temperature is predicted to be 24°C, while the minimum would be 17°C.
SYS vs HBH Pitch Report of SCG:
The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is known for offering something to both the batters and bowlers. Fast bowlers get help early as the ball moves off the pitch, making the first few overs challenging for batters. Once players settle in, scoring becomes easier, and boundaries start to flow.
As the match progresses, spinners find grip and play a key role in the middle overs. A score close to 170 usually puts the batting side in a strong position, while chasing under lights can become difficult if early wickets are lost at this venue.
The SCG has so far hosted 80 BBL matches, and the 220 runs were the highest score posted here, with 36 runs being the lowest total.
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records—Challenger, BBL 2025-26:
| Stats | Matches | HBH won | SYS won | Draw | Tied | NR |
| Overall | 22 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| At Sydney Cricket Ground | 9 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| In the last 5 matches | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records- Key Statistics
A thrilling and high-pressure match is set as the Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes prepare to face each other with a spot in the Big Bash League finals on the line. With both teams closely matched, the Challenger at the SCG promises to be an exciting contest.
The two sides have met 22 times in BBL history. The Hurricanes hold a slight edge with 11 wins, while the Sixers have won 9 matches in their rivalry. Two games between them ended in ties. The record at the SCG clearly favors the Hurricanes, giving them extra confidence in the Challenger.
Both teams are in good form, but the Sixers are looking to bounce back after a heavy loss to the Perth Scorchers in the Qualifier. In contrast, the Hurricanes arrive full of momentum after a dominant win over the Melbourne Stars in the Knockout to set the Challenger date with the Sixers.
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records: The last 5 matches
Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes have each won two of the last five Big Bash League matches played between them in the Big Bash League.
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records- Result of the last 5 BBL games:
No Result at SCG
Hobart Hurricanes won by 12 runs
Hobart Hurricanes won by 50 runs
Sydney Sixers won by 6 wickets
Sydney Sixers won by 24 runs
Conclusion:
Both teams will give their all in this Challenger match. They will aim to deliver their best with the bat, ball, and in the field to reach the BBL 2025-26 final. The winner will move on to the title clash, while the losing team’s journey will come to an end at the SCG on Friday.
