BBL 15: Top five team rivalries to watch out for in upcoming Big Bash League season

Hobart Hurricanes are the defending champions.

Australia’s premium T20 cricket tournament, the Big Bash League 2025/26 (BBL 15), is scheduled to begin on December 14, 2025. The first game of the tournament will witness former champions Perth Scorchers take on Sydney Sixers in a mouth-watering clash. Both sides kicking off the tournament have a strong history of playing high-intensity games in the past.

Perth Scorchers are the most successful team, having won the title five times. Hobart Hurricanes are the defending champions. Hurricanes won their maiden BBL title last season. In the final, they easily swept aside the challenge posed by Sydney Thunder thanks to Mitchell Owen’s whirlwind ton.

Australian cricket fans are already witnessing their side engage in a battle of wits with England for the Ashes 2025 honours.

Franchise cricket fans will be rubbing their palms in anticipation for the thrilling 40 league matches and knockout matches that will be played across Australia. Let’s take a look at the top five team rivalries to watch out for in BBL 15.

Team rivalries to watch in BBL 15-

5- Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers

It is fitting that the Big Bash League 2025 begins with a contest between two sides that have had a fierce rivalry on the field.

Perth Scorchers, who have won five BBL titles, have had their dominance challenged by the Sydney Sixers, who have won the title three times. In fact, in the first BBL final, it was the Sixers who beat the Scorchers by seven wickets to be crowned the inaugural champions.

It is the equivalent of the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings rivalry that one gets to see in the Indian Premier League. So far, Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers have met each other five times in BBL finals, with Perth having won three games, and Sydney winning two.

4- Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat

The Big Bash League has always seen magical encounters take place between the Adelaide Strikers and the Brisbane Heat. The two sides have played 21 matches against each other (one game being abandoned). In those 21 games, Brisbane have won 11 times with Adelaide winning ten times.

Over the years, both teams have possessed amazing batting talents and have played some high-scoring encounters. Match number 31 of BBL 2024/25 saw the Strikers score a mammoth 251, thanks to Matthew Short’s 54-ball 109, and win by 56 runs.

3- Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers

Despite having some huge names, the Melbourne Stars have yet to win the Big Bash League title. Fans have come to witness the Stars in giant numbers, especially when the team plays at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Stars have a great rivalry with the Adelaide Strikers in the league.

In the 19 encounters between the two sides, it is the Stars who hold a slight edge. Melbourne Stars have won ten games while the Strikers have won nine times. The best game between the two sides was played in the 2023 season, where the Strikers batted first and scored 205 on the board.

Chris Lynn top-scored for the strikers with 83, while Matthew Short scored 56 runs. In reply, the Stars saw Dan Lawrence (50) and Beau Webster (66) take the fight to the opposition. Marcus Stonis was the difference maker as the veteran Aussie star scored 55 not out off just 19 balls to help the Stars win the game by seven wickets and an over to spare.

2- Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder

Sydney Sixers, with three BBL titles, have held the edge over their city rivals, the Sydney Thunder. The latter have won just one title, which came in the 2015/16 season, where they beat Melbourne Stars in the final.

Last season, the Thunder also reached the final, but the Hobart Hurricanes defeated them in a one-sided match.

The rivalry between the two teams is one-sided as the Sixers have won 18 games compared to the six wins registered by the Sydney Thunder. Both teams met three times last season, with the Sixers and Thunder winning once, while one encounter was abandoned due to rain.

1- Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades

Considered one of the biggest games of any Big Bash League season, the Melbourne Derby is a keenly watched encounter. When it comes to bragging rights after winning the league, the Renegades have surpassed their rivals.

The Renegades have won the title once, while the Stars’ trophy cabinet remains empty. On the other hand, Melbourne Stars have beaten the Renegades 18 times and lost just ten times against their arch-rivals.

In the previous season, the Stars won both of their matches against the Renegades. Over the years, it has been the bowlers who have done well and made this match one of the fiercest contests in BBL history.

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