Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat – Fantasy Cricket Tips, C/VC Picks, Playing XI, Pitch Report: The Big Bash League 2025-26 continues with Match 2, where Melbourne Renegades (REN) face Brisbane Heat (HEA) at Simonds Stadium (GMHBA Stadium), South Geelong, Victoria. Both teams had a disappointing previous season, so they’ll be eager to start the new campaign with a win and gain early momentum.
This match is also exciting because it features a key clash between two big names: Mohammad Rizwan (REN) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (HEA) — one anchors the batting, the other attacks with pace.
REN vs HEA Match Details (Today)
| Match | REN vs HEA (Match 2) |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 |
| Date | Monday, 15 December 2025 |
| Time | 1:45 PM IST |
| Venue | Simonds Stadium / GMHBA Stadium, South Geelong, Victoria |
| Live Streaming | Fancode |
| TV / Digital | Star Sports Network / JioHotstar (as per availability) |
REN vs HEA Match Preview
Melbourne Renegades (REN) Preview
Renegades had a rough season earlier, but they look more balanced this time with fresh additions and stronger depth. The team will expect a steady start from Mohammad Rizwan, while aggressive batters around him can accelerate quickly.
Their bowling attack looks experienced with Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye, and they have wicket-taking control through Adam Zampa. Will Sutherland adds value as captain and all-rounder.
Brisbane Heat (HEA) Preview
Heat also struggled last season, but this year they have better pace resources and more variety in the squad. Their biggest weapon today will be Shaheen Afridi, who can swing the new ball and strike early.
In batting, Matt Renshaw and Colin Munro become key. If they handle the early movement well, Heat can post a competitive total or chase smartly.
REN vs HEA Head-to-Head Record
Renegades have had an edge historically against Heat.
| Matches | REN Won | HEA Won | No Result | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
Simonds Stadium Pitch Report (Geelong)
The pitch at GMHBA/Simonds Stadium generally stays neutral, helping both batters and bowlers. However, with cloud cover, the fast bowlers can get swing early and make life tough in the first few overs.
- Average 1st innings score: around 141–152
- Small ground: helps boundary hitters
- Early overs: pace bowlers get assistance
- Toss: can be important depending on conditions
Venue Stats Snapshot
| Detail | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches (recent reference) | 8 |
| Batting first won | 5 |
| Bowling first won | 3 |
| Avg 1st innings score | 141 |
| Avg 2nd innings score | 117 |
Fantasy hint: Prefer top-order batters + new-ball pacers.
Weather Report (Match Day)
Weather is expected to be cloudy in Geelong. In such conditions, the ball may move early, helping pacers.
- Temperature: around 13°C
- Humidity: high (around 80%+)
- Rain chance: can be moderate
- If rain interrupts: prefer multi-skill players (all-rounders, wicketkeepers).
REN vs HEA Probable Playing XI (BBL 2025-26 Match 2)
Melbourne Renegades (REN) Probable XI
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Josh Brown
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Caleb Jewell
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Will Sutherland (c)
- Hassan Khan / Ollie Peake (as per combo)
- Jason Behrendorff
- Brendan Doggett
- Andrew Tye
- Gurinder Sandhu / Fergus O’Neill
Brisbane Heat (HEA) Probable XI
- Max Bryant
- Colin Munro
- Hugh Weibgen
- Nathan McSweeney (c)
- Matt Renshaw
- Jimmy Peirson (wk)
- Jack Wildermuth
- Michael Neser / pace option (as per final XI)
- Xavier Bartlett
- Shaheen Afridi
- Spencer Johnson / bowling option
(Final teams may change after toss.)
Best Dream11 Fantasy Picks (REN vs HEA)
Wicketkeepers
- Mohammad Rizwan (Safe pick)
- Tim Seifert (High value)
- Jimmy Peirson (balanced option)
Batters
- Matt Renshaw (safe + consistent)
- Colin Munro (attacking)
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (high-risk, high-reward)
- Max Bryant (value pick)
All-rounders
- Will Sutherland (must-pick)
- Nathan McSweeney (good role)
- Jack Wildermuth (wickets + late hitting)
Bowlers
- Shaheen Afridi (strike bowler)
- Jason Behrendorff (new ball threat)
- Andrew Tye (death overs)
- Xavier Bartlett / Spencer Johnson (support pace)
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices (C/VC)
Safe C/VC Picks (Small League)
- C: Will Sutherland
- VC: Mohammad Rizwan
- C: Tim Seifert
- VC: Matt Renshaw
- C/VC: Shaheen Afridi (if pitch helps pace)
Grand League Differentials (High Risk)
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (if he fires, huge points)
- Andrew Tye (death wickets)
- Jason Behrendorff (early swing wickets)
- Colin Munro (fast 40-60 can change rankings)
Avoidable / Risky Picks
Some players can be risky if they bat too low or have uncertain roles:
- Lower-order batters without bowling
- Players who may not get full overs or face limited balls
(Choose based on toss + final XI.)
REN vs HEA Dream11 Team Combination Tips
Here’s a balanced team-building approach:
Suggested Fantasy Combination
- WK: 2–3
- BAT: 3–4
- AR: 2–3
- BOWL: 3–4
Must-have picks: Rizwan, Sutherland, Shaheen, one of (Renshaw/Munro), and one of (Behrendorff/Tye).
Final Match Prediction (Fantasy View)
- If the match stays full 20 overs, Renegades look slightly stronger on balance due to experienced bowling and stable batting.
- If conditions heavily favor swing/pace, Heat can dominate early through Shaheen, which can tilt the match.
Disclaimer: Fantasy sports involves risk. Team selection should be done after checking the final playing XI, toss update, and match conditions.
