All you need to know about the much-talked-about Test Twenty format — a new concept blending Test and T20 cricket.
When the England and Wales Cricket Board first introduced the T20I format in 2003, there was uncertainty around its future. More than two decades later, it remains the most played format in the international calendar, alongside the growth of various T20 franchise leagues across the globe. South Africa hosted their first T20 World Cup four years later. In a remarkable turn of events, India lifted the trophy, beating their traditional rivals, Pakistan.
Since then, multiple tournaments like The Hundred and T10 have been invented by different countries. Fast forward to 2025, cricket is set to welcome a brand-new format in 2026 called Test Twenty. It’s discovered to fuse the depth of Test cricket with the energy of T20 and has been spearheaded by high-profile cricketers.
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Introducing Test Twenty and its rules
AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh have endorsed the Test Twenty format. It’s intended for the young cricketers between the ages of 13 and 19 and will see four innings of twenty overs each. All the matches will be played in whites with the red ball, and will take place over a single day.
The competition will see a few new rules to bring the excitement of the two formats together. Each team can take a four-over-long power play once in the entire game. They can also enforce the follow-on with a first-innings lead of 75 runs or more. A maximum of five bowlers can be used across the match. Each bowler will be given a maximum of eight overs to bowl.
“We’ve combined Test cricket with T20 and fused them into a format that gives today’s generation what they crave, which is intensity with meaning. If you look around, there is not a single unifying platform to bring youth cricketers together. Every country has its own system, but you haven’t ever seen kids between 13 and 19 playing together as a part of a single franchise.” Gaurav Bahirvani, the architect of the Test Twenty, spoke at the format launch.
Lloyd, Hayden, De Villiers, and Harbhajan are all members of the Test Twenty advisory board. They are keen for the new format to be the bridge between the longest and shortest formats for the new generation.
“What excites me most is the real creative freedom that this format brings to the party. It lets players completely express themselves but also think differently and take the kind of risks that make cricket so beautiful. Beyond that, it also teaches balance. You need to have the ability to survive across two innings.” De Villiers addressed.
Lloyd has pointed out that the combination of two different formats into one would bring success. Meanwhile, Harbhajan highlighted the importance of engaging crowds for the venture to be successful.
“It is the crowd that makes any game famous, whether it is cricket, hockey, or even football in Australia. These games are big because crowds get behind them, and they endorse them. The best thing we can do is simplify it so that people can understand and connect with it.” India’s former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh suggested.
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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
Test Twenty promises the ultimate challenge
The new format is expected to bring a host of innovations along with it, including the AI Discovery Engine. It will help in combining the machine learning and video analytics along with the motion sensor technology of bats and balls. That will allow more data-driven youth scouting in the three-tier selection model.
Test Twenty will always remain a path to extend the talent pool. It can serve as a development ladder to build bridges through data, technology, and innovation. The basic aim of the new format is to experience the highs and lows of two opposite formats of the game. Once they understand this, it will help them in domestic cricket for their states.
It would be a commendable move if the committee allowed free entry for teenagers, giving them the chance to experience the excitement of the matches firsthand. Afterall, initiatives like these are key to engaging young fans and nurturing their interest in this innovative new format from an early age.
But will ICC back the Test Twenty format in international cricket in the future? Perhaps not. They didn’t show any interest in The Hundred, despite the franchise event gaining popularity since 2021.
An accompanying tournament called the Junior Test Twenty Championship is also expected to begin early in 2026 to launch the Test Twenty format. The competition will feature six franchises’ three global teams (London, Dubai, and a US city) and three Indian teams. Each of these six sides will have 16 players, comprising eight Indian and eight international players.
The tournament will be held in India. However, Bahirvani expressed his desire to take the league overseas in the following seasons. He also confirmed that the inaugural season will be open only to boys, while the second edition of the tournament will be introduced for girls.
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