The Adelaide Strikers will play against the Melbourne Stars in Match 10 of the BBL 2025-26, at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, December 23.

The Adelaide Strikers ended last season rather poorly as they finished at the bottom of their table. However, it looks like they have started well in the current season. In their first match, Adelaide Strikers triumphed over Sydney Sixers in a match in which they chased down 160 runs to win by three wickets.

The Melbourne Stars also kick-started their season on a impressive note. Having been eliminated in the last season, they returned in style by beating Hobart Hurricanes convincingly in their opening encounter. Led by Marcus Stoinis, the Stars chased down 159 runs in just 16 overs, losing only two wickets. They will aim to continue their winning form in this away game.

STR vs STA: Head-to-Head Record (T20s)

• Matches Played: 19
  
• Adelaide Strikers Won: 9
  
• Melbourne Stars Won: 10
  
• Tied: 0
  
• No Result: 0

STR vs STA: Pitch Report

The Adelaide Oval will host its first BBL match of the season. The pitch is expected to be well balanced. Fast bowlers can get good bounce if they bowl with effort. Batters can score freely once they settle in. Overall, fans can expect a competitive contest between bat and ball.

See Also: IND-W vs SL-W 2nd T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report and predicted playing XIs

STR vs STA: Predicted Playing XIs

Adelaide Strikers (STR):

Matthew Short (C), Chris Lynn, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Alex Ross, Jamie Overton, Harry Nielsen (WK), Luke Wood, Hasan Ali, Henry Thornton and Lloyd Pope.

Melbourne Stars (STA):

Joe Clarke, Thomas Rogers, Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Stoinis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Sam Harper (WK), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf and Peter Siddle.

After easy wins in Perth and Brisbane, Australia took an unassailable 3–0 lead in the five-match series in just 11 days. This equals the shortest time in which the Ashes have been decided in the last 100 years.

Packed crowds and huge TV audiences saw the 'Baggy Greens' win the third Test in Adelaide by 82 runs on Sunday, December 21.

Since regaining the Ashes in the 2017–18 season, Australia have now retained the title in five straight series. This means Australia will have held the Ashes for more than nine years when the next series is played in England in 2027.

The total attendance of 223,638 was the highest ever for a Test match at the Adelaide Oval, breaking the previous record of 199,147 set in 2017–18. It was also the biggest Test match crowd in Australia outside of a match played at the MCG.

Also Read -NZ vs WI 3rd Test: Duffy’s five-for triggers West Indies collapse as New Zealand seal 323-run win at Mount Maunganui

56,298 in the house for Day 1. The highest ever cricket attendance at Adelaide Oval 👏#ashes #ausveng pic.twitter.com/gsXqpDAchy

— Adelaide Oval (@TheAdelaideOval) December 17, 2025

Record Crowds and Huge Viewership

The Day 1 crowd of 56,298 was the highest ever for a single day of cricket in Adelaide. TV audiences across Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Seven, and 7plus Sport peaked on Day 5 as Australia moved closer to victory. An average of 2.11 million viewers watched the action during the final day.

The final session of Day 5 became the sixth session of the series to average more than two million viewers. It was also the eleventh session of Test cricket in 2025 to cross the two-million mark.

Read More -'Hat-trick because of Rohit...'— Deepak Chahar reveals how Rohit Sharma's captaincy helped him to bloom as main bowler

Strong Digital and Global Reach

Cricket Australia’s digital platforms also saw very strong engagement. Around 1.34 million people in Australia visited cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live app during the Adelaide Test. These users generated 11.6 million sessions, which was 25% higher than the third Test of last year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Fans watched a large amount of video content, with views from Australian users rising by 151% compared to last year’s third Test against India. The global reach of the series was also clear, with 232 million video views across Cricket Australia’s social media channels during the Test.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg praised the achievement, saying that retaining the Ashes in just 11 days was a great accomplishment. He said it showed the strong preparation and performance of the players, coaches, and support staff. He also added that the atmosphere at the NRMA Insurance Adelaide Test was excellent, with record crowds and huge TV audiences making it a special moment for Australian cricket.

The opening day of the third Test of the Ashes 2025-26 at Adelaide experienced a great battle, where the English bowlers controlled the Aussie batters, while Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey were the stand-out performers for the hosts with the bat. While Carey's century rescued the Aussies in the first innings of the Test match, the English team is fuming over the controversial not-out decision on Carey due to a snicko gaffe.

Watch: Alex Carey dedicates maiden Ashes 2025/26 century to his late father in Adelaide

Was Alex Carey out on 72 runs?

When Alex Carey was batting on 72 runs, there was a caught behind appeal from the English side in Josh Tongue's over. As the bowling end umpire gave it a not out, the visitors went for a DRS. There was a clear light sound when the ball was exactly passing the bat, but the snicko reading was producing a significant spike well before the ball hit the bat, while there was no spike when the ball may actually have touched the bat.

Observing the situation, the third umpire stood by the original decision, while many were shocked by the incident. Later, Alex Carey accepted that he also felt a bit of feather or some sort of noise when the ball passed his bat. He further added that he would possibly review with a doubt if the on-field umpire gave him out. 

Ultimately, Carey completed his century, as he scored a crucial 106 runs, as Australia scored 326/8 at the stumps of the opening day. 

Must have selected the incorrect stump mic for audio processing

As Carey indirectly admitted ball hit his bat, the snicko is under pressure now. The owners of Real-Time Snickometer have accepted the mistake and explained the reason why the shocking error happened that hurt the English team.

The WBBL 2025 will head to Match No. 27, with the Adelaide Strikers Women taking on the Sydney Thunder Women at Adelaide Oval on Friday, November 28. The season thus far has experienced ups and downs for both of these teams, and they will be eager to add crucial points to their tally.

The Adelaide Strikers Women have had a decent campaign with two wins from six matches. They will go into this encounter confident, having won a game convincingly against Brisbane Heat Women in their last outing. Momentum is behind them now and with that, the Strikers will look to capitalize and move further ahead in the points table.

The Sydney Thunder Women have not been consistent this season. They have also won two out of six matches, and their recent loss to Melbourne Renegades Women dropped them further down the table. The Thunder will try to forget that defeat, start fresh, and put up a stronger performance in this important match.

AS-W vs ST-W: Head-to-Head Record in T20s

• Matches Played: 21
  
• Adelaide Strikers Women Won: 9
  
• Sydney Thunder Women Won: 12
  
• No Result: 0
• Tied: 0
  

AS-W vs ST-W: Pitch Report

The Adelaide Oval pitch is essentially balanced, offering equal opportunities to both batters and bowlers. The fast bowlers like the natural bounce and carry of this surface, which makes them effective at any stage of the game. At the same time, the ball will nicely come onto the bat, and the fast outfield will continue to reward well-timed shots. The conditions will be pleasing for pace and stroke play, and one would have a great contest between bat and ball in front of them.

See Also: WPL 2026 Auction: Deepti Sharma returns to UP Warriorz and Sophie Devine joins Gujarat Giants

AS-W vs ST-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Adelaide Strikers Women (AS-W):

Laura Wolvaardt, Tammy Beaumont, Madeline Penna, Tahlia McGrath (C), Bridget Patterson (WK), Ellie Johnston, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Sophie Ecclestone, Jemma Barsby, Eleanor Larosa, Darcie Brown

Sydney Thunder Women (ST-W):

 Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson (WK), Phoebe Litchfield (C), Heather Knight, Laura Harris, Anika Learoyd, Emily Arlott, Hasrat Gill, Taneale Peschel, Shabnim Ismail, Samantha Bates

The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025 will continue with Match No. 8, where Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W) will face Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W) on Friday, November 14, at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide. This is the first of two matches lined up for Friday in the tournament.

The Perth Scorchers Women did not have the ideal start to their season, as they lost their first game to the Sydney Sixers Women by 10 wickets. However, they came back strongly in their next game and beat Brisbane Heat Women easily. Having won a game and lost one, the Scorchers are currently positioned fourth on the points table and look to carry this good form forward.

On the other hand, the Melbourne Stars Women had their opening match against the Adelaide Strikers Women washed out because of rain. They have one point on the board and will be hoping to start their campaign properly with a strong performance on Friday. With experienced players on their side, the Stars will aim to earn two points and move up in the standings.

PS-W vs MS-W: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 21
  
• Perth Scorchers Women Won: 12
  
• Melbourne Stars Women Won: 9
  
• No Result: 0

PS-W vs MS-W: Pitch Report

The pitch at the Karen Rolton Oval is fresh for this season. Even though this is the first WBBL match at this venue in 2025, the ground has hosted 31 WBBL games in the past. The pitch usually helps batters, offering good bounce and making it easier to score runs. Spinners might get some help as the match goes on. Teams that bat first have often done better here, so the captain winning the toss is likely to choose to bat first.

See Also: WBBL 2025 Match 9: AS-W vs MR-W head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

PS-W vs MS-W: Predicted Playing XIs

Melbourne Stars Women (MS-W):

Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Amy Jones (WK), Annabel Sutherland (C), Marizanne Kapp, Danielle Gibson, Kim Garth, Sasha Moloney, Georgia Prestwidge, Maisy Gibson, Sophie Day.

Perth Scorchers Women (PS-W):

LllBeth Mooney (WK), Katie Mack, Paige Scholfield, Sophie Devine (C), Freya Kemp, Mikayla Hinkley, Chloe Ainsworth, Alana King, Lilly Mills, Amy Edgar, Ebony Hoskin.

An Uber driver in Adelaide recently had a once-in-a-lifetime experience when three Indian cricketers unexpectedly became his passengers. While the Indian team was in the city for the second ODI against Australia, the driver found himself giving a ride to none other than Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel.

The moment left the driver stunned and thrilled, as he realized he was sharing his cab with international cricket stars. He couldn’t help but express his excitement, later sharing the memorable experience on social media.

Fans too were quick to react, praising the players for their down-to-earth attitude and humility. Encounters like these highlight how approachable and grounded Indian cricketers remain, even while representing the nation on global tours.

See Also: Off the field controversial moments of Gautam Gambhir ft. feud with MS Dhoni fans

Uber Driver’s Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience With Indian Players:

A dashcam video from the driver’s car showed him waiting for his next passengers, unaware of the surprise ahead. Moments later, Prasidh Krishna entered and took the front seat, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel settled in the back, leaving the driver visibly stunned by the unexpected celebrity encounter.

The clip of the unexpected moment quickly went viral on social media, delighting cricket fans everywhere. Viewers found humor in the driver’s stunned silence as he realized his passengers were Indian cricketers. Many said his reaction was completely natural, while others playfully imagined what they might have said if they were in his place during such a surprising encounter.

Jaisu, Jurel and Prasidh in an Uber ride in Adelaide 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/c3FuVP9PeN

— Wren (@vyomanaut02) October 22, 2025

The viral clip captures the players and the driver arriving at their destination, exchanging brief pleasantries before parting ways. The driver, who appeared to recognize the cricketers after a second glance, maintained professionalism throughout the journey, choosing not to disturb them despite clearly realizing he had famous passengers in his car.

Indian Trio Aim to Make Their Mark:

Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel, who have previously played together for the Rajasthan Royals, are part of India’s current squad in Australia for the ongoing ODI series. However, the trio has yet to feature in the playing XI for the first two matches. India, meanwhile, finds itself trailing 0-2 in the three-match series after suffering consecutive defeats in Adelaide.

India will look to salvage pride as the final ODI moves to the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. With the series already decided, players like Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, and Kuldeep Yadav may get a chance to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience in Australian conditions.

Virat Kohli’s comeback series has started on a challenging note. Two consecutive ducks in the first two ODIs against Australia were far from what his fans had hoped for. However, Kohli’s sharp instincts in the field during the second ODI in Adelaide drew attention and highlighted his cricketing acumen.

As India defended 265, cameras captured an interesting moment between Kohli and Australian batter Travis Head, who was on 28 at the time. Indian fans still remember Head’s explosive 137 off 120 in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, which shattered India’s dream of winning the trophy for the third time.

Aware of Head’s potential to dominate the game quickly, Kohli approached the Australian opener, placed an arm around his shoulder, and said something. Moments later, Head miscued a shot off Harshit Rana and was caught by Kohli himself. Though the exact words remain unknown, the incident highlighted Kohli’s psychological sharpness on the field.

Kohli Equals Yuvraj Singh in Most Ducks for India in ODIs

Despite the fielding highlight, India lost the match by 2 wickets, with Australia sealing the series 2-0. For the first time in his career, Kohli scored two back-to-back ducks in ODI cricket. In 304 matches, he has now recorded 18 ducks, equalling Yuvraj Singh, who played 301 ODIs to achieve the same.

Watch the video here

Virat Kohli's strategic distraction! Travis Head was out next ball. Master of the mind games. 😉

​#ViratKohli
​#TravisHead
​#CricketBanter
​#MindGames
​#Cricket
​#INDvAUS
​#Wicket
​#OnFieldFun
​#Goat
​#CricketFever pic.twitter.com/DBWtp9q9j8

— Umesh patel (@umesh_pate26949) October 24, 2025

See Also: Cricket Australia launches Hindi commentary on CA live app for in-stadium cricket fans

While Kohli and Yuvraj are joint-4th on India’s list of most ducks in ODIs, the 3rd position belongs to Anil Kumble with 18 ducks in 269 matches. The 2nd spot is held by Javagal Srinath with 19 ducks in 229 matches, while the record is held by Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 20 ducks in 463 ODIs.

Though India has already lost the 3-match series 2-0, the Men in Blue will look to restore pride in the third ODI. The final match of the series will be played on October 25 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Fans will be keen to see if India makes any changes to the squad and whether Kohli can regain his form with the bat while continuing his brilliance in the field.

Shreyas Iyer made a heroic half-century in the second ODI between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23. The right-handed batsman contributed significantly to settling the Indian innings by adding a vital 118-run partnership off 136 balls for the third wicket with Rohit Sharma. Their association followed early losses when Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were sent packing in the seventh over by Xavier Bartlett. Due to their consistent effort, India was able to register a fighting score of 264/9 in the first innings.

In spite of India's solid comeback, Australia chased the score in 46.2 overs with two wickets remaining. Iyer's calm innings was one of the few positives for India on an otherwise challenging day. His condition-sensing ability to play with patience was enjoyed by supporters as well as pundits.

Talking after the game, Shreyas revealed his new batting stance, which has been a subject of debate among cricket fans. The Mumbai batter revealed that he wanted to return to a more upright stance to help him handle extra bounce on certain pitches.

Shreyas Iyer Explains His Upright Stance and Key Partnership with Rohit Sharma

“Well, this technique which I've got lately, it's not that I've changed over the time, but since last year, I wanted to have an upright stance where the bounce is a little bit more than expected. And based on that, I worked with my coach and we developed this new technique and it was kind of suiting me pretty well. And the way I grew up playing, it was very much that I predominantly had an upright stance,” Iyer said at the post-match press conference.

See Also: WATCH: Rohit Sharma’s sweet gesture for young fan in Australia goes viral after AUS vs IND 2nd ODI

He further added, “And I just was like, let's go back to my old technique and see how it paces up. So yeah, I backed myself and then from there on, I started in the domestic. And then till now, I've been continuing with the same stance.” Speaking about his partnership with Rohit, he said it was crucial to steady the innings against Josh Hazlewood’s fiery spell. “It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on, especially at the start, so we decided to rotate the strike and build momentum. Even in Mumbai, on red-soil wickets where there’s extra bounce, this stance helps. You’ve got to keep changing depending on the pitch, and right now, I feel I can adapt anywhere.”

Rohit Sharma found his touch in one-day cricket again in the second India-Australia ODI at the Adelaide Oval. Indian captain Rohit scored a serene and elegant knock of 73 runs from 97 balls, which helped his team come back from an early wicket fall. His innings was reminiscent of his signature style steady early on, then forceful with his signature pull shots and elegant sixes.

Though Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill departed soon, Rohit appeared as confident and calm a player as one could ask for at the crease. Each time he hit a decent-looking shot, the in-charge Adelaide crowd went into ecstasies. The fans were treated to a classic Rohit Sharma show as he orchestrated India's innings with patience and composure. His placement and timing demonstrated that the "Hitman" was back in form.

The stands filled with Indian fans chanting, "Mumbai cha Raja," and waved flags in honor of their hero. One could see Rohit's vast popularity in Australia. There is no question he is a world star. His calm leadership, with his smiling, playful presence, made the night a special occasion for everyone in the stadium.

Rohit Sharma's Sweet Moment with Young Fan Goes Viral

After the game, Rohit Sharma proved why fans love him, not only for his batting but also because he is kind. On leaving the stadium, he went about greeting fans with a smile and accepting gifts from them. In one clip, which went viral, Rohit hugged a young girl and clicked photos with her and her sisters. The adorable moment won hearts online, as the kids looked thrilled to meet their idol.

Watch the video here

Craze for Rohit Sharma at Adelaide Airport.🔥

pic.twitter.com/GjWkcWqk5n

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) October 24, 2025

See Also: [WATCH] “Poora India trophy ke peeche…”- Mohsin Naqvi’s bravery video on Asia Cup 2025 trophy goes viral

Yet another fan gifted Rohit a hand-taken collage, which he accepted gleefully before taking some more selfies with the audience. Now, as the series moves to Sydney, Rohit will aim to continue his good form at a ground where he averages 66.60. His last knock there was a brilliant 133, and fans hope for another big innings in the final ODI on October 25.

The second ODI between Australia and India will be held on October 23 at the legendary Adelaide Oval. Team India, who were disappointing in the previous match, will be looking to make a strong comeback and address their batting problem before the decisive game. The Men in Blue will hope to provide an improved all-round performance to keep the three-match series alive.

The fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action as the star pair prepares to take on Australia again. The series was one of the most awaited encounters this year, and it saw Kohli and Rohit return to international cricket after a break of eight months. The return of the star pair in Perth, though, didn't go according to expectations and left fans disheartened following India's dismal batting display.

Even after the initial ODI setback, the fans are full of enthusiasm. The Adelaide Oval is officially sold out for the second game, showing the strong support Indian cricket continues to enjoy in Australia. For many fans, the chance to see Kohli play at one of his most successful venues was too good to miss. The upcoming match is now a must-win clash for India to level the series.

Kohli and Rohit Aim to Bounce Back in Adelaide

“The tickets for the Men’s ODI between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval are now sold out. The match is the second of a three-game ODI series, with Australia claiming a seven-wicket win in the first ODI in Perth. The Men’s ODI in Adelaide begins at 2 pm local time,” said a media release by Cricket Australia.

See Also: Virat Kohli record at his happy hunting ground at Adelaide

The legendary pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have returned to the ODI format after an eight-month gap. In the first match, Kohli was dismissed for a duck, while Rohit managed only eight runs, but both will be determined to turn things around in Adelaide. With the World Cup 2027 in mind, the series holds great importance for India’s future planning. The Men in Blue last won an ODI series in Australia back in 2018 under Kohli’s captaincy, and they’ll be keen to repeat that success once again.