The Melbourne Renegades (MLR) take on the Perth Scorchers (PRS) in the 36th match of Big Bash League 2024-25 at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, on 15th Jan 2026. This fixture carries significant weight for the hosts, who sit seventh on the table with only two matches left to salvage their season. The Scorchers, positioned third, arrive in Melbourne looking to consolidate their finals position and exact revenge for their earlier defeat to the Renegades this season. With contrasting fortunes and motivations, this encounter sets up as a pivotal contest in the race for the BBL|15 playoffs. Let’s Break down with expert analysis, betting insights, team performance, pitch report, and our MLR vs PRS BBL 36th match prediction. Who will win today’s match?
Team Performance
Melbourne Renegades: Team Preview & Performance
The Melbourne Renegades are struggling in seventh place with a poor net run rate of -0.686 after losing to Sydney Thunder. In their last match, they failed to defend a rain-revised target of 140 in 16 overs, with Chris Green’s explosive hat-trick of sixes and a crucial partnership with Nic Maddinson sealing their defeat. With only two games remaining, the Renegades have made squad changes by bringing in Brendan Doggett and Matthew Spoors for Callum Stow and Andrew Tye as they prepare for a must-win clash against Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium. Their finals hope is barely alive, requiring not just victories but high-margin wins to overcome their negative net run rate and climb up the ladder.
Perth Scorchers: Team Preview & Recent Performance
The Scorchers are sitting comfortably in third place and arrive in Melbourne with momentum after bouncing back from their earlier loss to the Renegades with a convincing 32-run victory over the Strikers. That defeat to the Renegades still stings, and they’ll be keen to settle the score in this return fixture.
However, they’ve copped a significant blow with Josh Inglis ruled out due to Cricket Australia’s workload management protocols. Rather than calling up a direct replacement, Perth have opted for a 13-player squad, giving themselves flexibility in team selection.
The Scorchers have shown their ability to respond after setbacks, as evidenced by their strong performance against the Strikers following the Renegades loss. They’ll fancy their chances of revenge at Marvel Stadium, especially against a Renegades outfit desperately fighting for survival. With a solid position in the top four already secured, Perth can play with freedom while the home side battles the pressure of a must-win scenario.
MLR vs PRS | 36th Match | Big Bash League 2025-26
Series: Big Bash League 2025-26
Date: 15/01/2026
Time: 7:15 PM LOCAL, 8:15 AM GMT, 1:45 PM IST
Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Streaming: Jio Hotstar and Star Sports Network
MLR vs PRS Today’s Match Weather Condition:
- Temperature: 17.4°C
- Humidity: 88%
- Rain: 90% Rain of chance
- Wind direction: S
- Wind speed: 14KPH
Also, check live BBL Match betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.
MLR vs PRS Today’s Match Pitch Report & Condition
The Docklands Stadium pitch for the January 15, 2026, BBL match between MLR and PRS is a balanced surface with good bounce and short boundaries favouring aggressive batters, with a competitive first-innings score around 160-180 runs. Fast bowlers enjoy early movement, and the toss is crucial; the team winning the toss will almost certainly elect to bowl first, as chasing teams have won roughly 60% of recent matches at this venue due to the potential for dew in the evening aiding the second batting innings.
MLR vs PRS – Probable Playing XI (BBL 36th Match 2026)
Melbourne Renegades Playing XI: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Brown, Caleb Jewell, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Tim Seifert, Will Sutherland (c), Hassan Khan, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff, Gurinder Sandhu, Brendan Doggett
Ins: Brendan Doggett, Matthew Spoors. Outs: Callum Stow, Andrew Tye.
Perth Scorchers Playing XI: Finn Allen, Mitch Marsh, Cooper Connolly, Ashton Turner (c), Laurie Evans, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Jhye Richardson, David Payne, Brody Couch, Mahli Beardman
Out: Josh Inglis
MLR vs PRS – BBL Head-to-Head Records
Total matches played: 23
Melbourne Renegades won: 6
Perth Scorchers won: 16
Tie / No Result: 1
First-Ever BBL Match
Date: December 22, 2011
Venue: Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Result: Perth Scorchers won by 8 wickets
Most Recent BBL Match
Date: January 07, 2026
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Result: Melbourne Renegades won by 4 wkts
Player of the Match: Oliver Peake
BBL match Prediction: Team bowling first are favourites to win today’s BBL 36th Match 2026.
Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers | BBL 36th Match Prediction
Scenario 1
Who will win today’s toss: MLR wins the toss and opt to Bowl first
PRS scores: 165-175
Who will win today’s match: MLR to win today’s BBL 36th match 2026
Scenario 2
Who will win today’s toss: PRS wins the toss and opt to bowl first
MLR scores: 170-180
Who will win today’s match: PRS to win today’s BBL 36th Match 2026
Today Match Winning Percentage
BBL Betting Insights for MLR vs PRS BBL 36th Match 2026
- Who will win the toss Today: MLR won the toss and elect to Bowl first.
- Top Batter Performance: Josh Brown
- Top Bowler Performance: Jason Behrendorff
- Today’s BBL betting tips: Team bowling first are safe bet to play today’s BBL 36th match 2026.