A Good News for the Cricketing World — or a Questionable Innovation? A new cricket format is set to be introduced, called “Test Twenty.” It combines the smart strategy of Test cricket with the quick action of T20s. It will be officially launched in January 2026. The motivation behind this new format is to attract those who enjoy fast-paced matches. The format is supported by cricket legends like AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan Singh, and Sir Clive Lloyd.
What is Test Twenty?
The new format is a mix of Test cricket and T20. In this format, each team will play two innings, and each innings will have 20 overs. The match will be played across 80 overs in total. The team that scores the most runs wins. The game is expected to take 5–6 hours and finish in a single day. The match can end as a win, a loss, a tie, or a draw. This format will help players play smartly, like in Tests, while keeping the game fast and exciting like T20.
Purpose and Target Audience
The main aim of the new format is to help young players improve their skills. The first season of Test Twenty will be played as part of the Junior Test Twenty Championship, for players aged 13 to 19. It will help them learn strategy and play exciting cricket.
Key Rules and Strategy
The match will have a 4-over powerplay with fielding limits in each innings. Each team is allowed to use up to 5 bowlers, and each bowler can bowl a maximum of 8 overs in total. If a team leads by 75 runs or more after the first innings, they can make the other team bat again.
Global Participation and Technology
The new format has been developed by sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of The One One Six Network. It is also supported by cricket legends such as AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan Singh, and Sir Clive Lloyd, who are part of its advisory board. The format will feature six teams from India, Dubai, London, and the United States. Each team will have 16 players and will be divided into Indian and international squads. For fair selection, the Test Twenty Intelligence Index (TTII) will be used to evaluate players’ decision-making, temperament, and cricketing skills.
The Future of Test Twenty
As the cricket world is busy with the Women’s World Cup, ODIs, and T20s, the introduction of a new format like Test Twenty sparks mixed reactions among fans. While it aims to bring a fresh and exciting addition to cricket, it also opens a new debate about the future of traditional formats. Test Twenty promises to develop a new era for young cricketers by improving their skills and strategy. The cricket world now awaits to witness how this experimental format will unfold.