Cricket’s new format ‘Test T20’ to be launched soon

A new cricket format called Test Twenty (also stylized as Test20) has officially been unveiled, marking the sport’s fourth format after Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Launched on October 16, 2025, this innovative design aims to combine the depth of Test cricket with the pace of T20s, attracting younger audiences aged 13 to 19.

Key Features of Test Twenty

• Format structure: Each team bats two innings of 20 overs each, bringing the total to 80 overs per match, all completed within a single day.
• Match outcomes: Like Test cricket, games can end in a win, loss, tie, or draw, with additional conditions such as the possibility of a Super Over in case of tied aggregate scores.
• Rules crossover: The format blends red-ball cricket with T20 dynamics — including Powerplays, follow-on options (75-run lead), and a cap of five bowlers per team with each allowed up to eight overs.
• Target audience: Primarily aimed at teenage players and fans, encouraging tactical learning and game awareness over just power-hitting.

Origin and Leadership

The concept was created by Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of The One One Six Network, and backed by cricket legends AB de Villiers, Harbhajan Singh, Matthew Hayden, and Sir Clive Lloyd, who form its advisory board.

Launch Timeline and Expansion

The first Test Twenty season is scheduled for January 2026, featuring six international franchises, three from India and three overseas (London, Dubai, and a U.S. city).​ The initiative also integrates AI-driven scouting and smart-bat technology to identify and develop young global talent.

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Purpose and Vision

The creators describe Test Twenty as a bridge “between tradition and innovation,” retaining the tactical essence of Tests while packaging it in a fast, broadcast-friendly structure. It seeks to create a long-term player development ecosystem, envisioned as a cricket version of the NCAA system for global talent discovery.