What is Test Twenty? Everything explained about cricket’s new format
Cricket's newest format, Test Twenty, was launched on Thursday, October 16. It has been supported by legends AB de Villiers, Harbhajan Singh, Matthew Hayden and Clive Lloyd.
New Delhi: Test Twenty was unveiled as cricket's newest format on Thursday, October 16. The format has found support from some great legends like AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh, which is set to debut early next year.
The format has been aimed at merging the strategic depth of Test cricket with the thrill and excitement of T20. Test Twenty is created by sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, who is the Executive Chairman of The One One Six Network.
What is Test Twenty?
The format is a perfect mix of both Test cricket and T20. Both teams will play four innings of twenty overs each, and the matches will be played in whites with a red ball. All four innings will be completed in a single day as the format is intended for youth cricketers between the ages of 13 and 19.
It will feature a few rule changes to bring out the best of both formats. Each team can take a four-over PowerPlay once during the match and will be able to enforce the follow-on with a first-innings lead of 75 runs or more. A maximum of five bowlers may be used across the match, with each bowler allowed to bowl a maximum of eight overs. A match can end in a win, loss, tie, or draw for a team.
What the legends had to say about the new format
AB de Villiers said at the launch of the format that it honours the traditions of cricket, while embracing the possibilities of 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," said De Villiers.
Sir Clive Lloyd said that he lived through every era of cricket, and the game has always adapted. "Test Twenty brings back the art and rhythm of the sport, yet keeps it alive with modern energy," said Lloyd.
The first-ever Test Twenty season is set to begin in January 2026, with the six global franchises. Three teams based in Indian cities, and the other three representing Dubai, London, and the United States, will participate. Each squad will feature 16 players, with eight Indian and eight international cricketers.