A brand-new cricket format, Test Twenty, has been launched on Thursday, October 16, bringing a fresh twist to the game.
Backed by cricket legends AB de Villiers, Harbhajan Singh, Sir Clive Lloyd, and Matthew Hayden, the format aims to mix the strategy of Test cricket with the fast-paced thrill of T20s.
Created by sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of The One One Six Network, Test Twenty is set to become the fourth format in international cricket.
Test Twenty will be played over 80 overs, with two innings of 20 overs per side. The format will keep traditional results such as win, loss, tie, or draw, while ensuring fast, one-day action that suits modern audiences.
At the heart of Test Twenty is an AI Discovery Engine, a technology that uses video analysis, motion sensors, and data science to assess player skills fairly. Through global tech-transfer partnerships, this system will help cricket boards and academies around the world identify talent transparently.
What legends said about Test Twenty
AB de Villiers said the format respects cricket’s roots while looking towards the future.
“Test Twenty is innovation with intent. It honours the traditions of the game while embracing the possibilities of the future. It gives young players a new dream to chase and fans a new story to follow,” he said.
Sir Clive Lloyd called it a thoughtful evolution of the sport. he said, “The game has always adapted, but never this thoughtfully. Test Twenty brings back the art and rhythm of the sport, yet keeps it alive with modern energy.”
Matthew Hayden believes it bridges eras of cricket.
“This format carries the wisdom of the old world into the fire of the new. For young players, it’s a chance to grow not just as athletes, but as people,” Hayden said.
Harbhajan Singh pointed out that the game needed something new to reconnect with the youth: “Cricket needed a fresh heartbeat, something that connects today’s youth with the game’s original spirit. Test Twenty does exactly that.”
The first Test Twenty season will begin in January 2026, featuring six global franchises. Three teams will be based in Indian cities, while the other three will represent Dubai, London, and the United States. Each squad will include 16 players, evenly divided between eight Indian and eight international cricketers, marking the start of a new era in cricket.