Cricket is about to enter a bold new era with the launch of Test Twenty, a fresh format that promises to combine the depth of Test matches with the speed and excitement of T20 cricket.

Designed to fit an entire match into a single day, this innovative format could change how fans experience the game forever.

What is Test Twenty?

Test Twenty cricket format aims to preserve the tactical brilliance of traditional Test matches while making it more accessible and fast-paced. Each fixture spans 80 overs, with both teams batting twice — two 20-over innings per side. The first-innings scores carry into the second, encouraging a balance between aggression and consistency.

Unlike other short formats, Test Twenty accommodates all possible outcomes: win, loss, tie, or even a draw. If scores are level after both innings, a Super Over will decide the winner. Interestingly, if a team ends its innings with five wickets still in hand, it can opt for a draw — bringing back the strategic charm of Test cricket.

Who created Test Twenty?

The Test Twenty cricket format is the brainchild of Gaurav Bahirvani, Founder and CEO of Test Twenty. It was officially launched on Thursday with glowing endorsements from cricket greats like AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan Singh, and Sir Clive Lloyd, who hailed it as cricket’s “next chapter.”

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) October 16, 2025

When Will It Start?

The first major event, the Junior Test Twenty Championship, is scheduled for January 2026. The tournament will feature players aged 13 to 19, giving young cricketers a chance to develop temperament, decision-making, and game intelligence — not just big-hitting skills.

Six franchises will participate: three based in India and three international teams from London, Dubai, and the United States. Each team will consist of 16 players — evenly split between Indian and international talent.

How Will Players Be Selected?

Player recruitment will happen through two routes:

• Direct Entry: For players recommended by certified cricketers, coaches, or administrators.

• Standard Entry: Open trials powered by AI and motion-sensor technology to ensure fairness.

Selections will be guided by the Test Twenty Intelligence Index (TTII) — a data-driven evaluation system that measures decision-making, temperament, and cricketing IQ. Out of 1,000 shortlisted players, 300 will advance, and 96 will be drafted into the founding franchises.

Key rules and features

Test Twenty introduces several exciting rules to keep matches competitive:

• Powerplay: One per match, lasting four overs, chosen by the captain. If unused, it automatically applies between overs 7–10 of the second innings.

• Follow-On: Can be enforced if the second-batting side trails by 75 or more runs.

• Early Collapse Clause: If a team is bowled out before 10 overs in its first innings, the opposition gains three extra overs.

• Bowling Limit: Each of the five bowlers can deliver up to eight overs across both innings.

• Over-Rate Penalty: Slow teams lose five runs and a timeout.

Cricket legends have applauded this fresh approach. AB de Villiers praised it for respecting cricket’s traditions while offering something new for fans and players. Sir Clive Lloyd said it “brings back the art and rhythm of the game,” while Matthew Hayden described it as a “bridge between generations.”