Get ready for ‘Test Twenty’, a hybrid of Test and T20 formats
Cricket is poised for a dramatic transformation with the introduction of a groundbreaking new format— “Test Twenty”— which aims to combine the strategic depth of Test matches with the fast-paced excitement of T20 cricket, 24NewsHD TV reported.
The format was officially unveiled on Friday by Indian sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of the One One Six Network and the visionary behind the initiative.
Supported by cricketing icons AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan Singh, and Sir Clive Lloyd, Test Twenty is being hailed as the game’s “fourth format”, following Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
Proud to have launched Test Twenty®️ with @gauravbahirvani . If you’re 13–19 and play with passion, this is your chance. Register: https://t.co/zNFYTDL6lV@The_Test_Twenty @HaydosTweets #clivelloyd @harbhajan_singh #ParitySports #oneonesixnetwork#TestTwenty #FourthFormat pic.twitter.com/FNDYvM6tJf
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) October 16, 2025
According to Bahirvani, Test Twenty seeks to preserve the tactical nuance and endurance of the red-ball game while making it more accessible and engaging for modern audiences.
The matches will be completed within a single day, spanning 80 overs in total, with each team batting twice for 20 overs per innings.
Like a traditional Test, teams’ scores will carry forward across innings.
The format allows for all four possible results — win, loss, tie, or draw.
In case of a level score, a Super Over will decide the winner, while a team retaining five wickets at the end of its innings may opt for a draw.
Bahirvani described Test Twenty as “a global movement” aimed at reviving the spirit of Test cricket and offering young players a unified platform to develop strategic awareness and match intelligence.
The first official event, the Junior Test Twenty Championship, is scheduled for 2026, targeting players aged 13 to 19.
The tournament will feature six franchises — three from India and three international teams based in London, Dubai, and a US city.
Each team will include 16 players, evenly split between Indian and overseas talent.
Player selection will follow two pathways:
Direct Entry: For players nominated by certified cricketers, coaches, or administrators.
Standard Entry: Through open trials powered by AI and motion-sensor technology, ensuring merit-based evaluation.
Selections will be guided by the Test Twenty Intelligence Index (TTII) — a data-driven assessment of players’ decision-making, temperament, and
cricketing IQ. From 1,000 shortlisted candidates, 300 will advance, and 96 will be drafted into the founding franchises.
Adding a touch of glamour, organisers revealed that the franchises are likely to be co-owned by prominent sporting and entertainment families — “those who grew up with the game in their blood.”
As cricket continues to evolve, Test Twenty promises to offer the best of both worlds — the intellect of Test cricket and the thrill of T20s — setting the stage for what could become the sport’s most ambitious reinvention yet.
Innovative Rules and Match Dynamics
Powerplay: One per match, lasting four overs, chosen by the captain; if unused, it’s automatically applied between overs 7 and 10 of the second innings.
Follow-on: May be enforced if the second-batting side trails by 75 or more runs after the first innings.
Early Collapse Clause: If a team is bowled out before 10 overs in its first innings, the opposition gains three additional overs.
Bowling Restrictions: A maximum of five bowlers per team, each allowed up to eight overs across both innings.
Wides & No-Balls: Standard T20 rules apply, but three or more in one over trigger a three-run penalty.
Over-Rate Penalty: Teams with slow over-rates will lose five runs and a timeout.
Super Session: In case of a tie, a one-over eliminator decides the result; if still level, the team with more boundaries wins.