Test Twenty: A New Cricket Format Set to Launch in January 2026

17 Oct 2025

In October 2025, something big was announced a brand-new format of cricket called Test Twenty. It will officially launch in January 2026, aiming to mix the deep strategy of Test matches with the fast excitement of T20 cricket. The idea came from sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, founder of The One One Six Network, and it’s backed by legends like AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Sir Clive Lloyd, and Harbhajan Singh.

These names alone made the cricket world sit up. Together, they want to create something that keeps the soul of Test cricket alive but also fits our modern, fast-moving world.

The Format:

Cricket has always been about adapting. Test cricket gives us patience, story, and drama, but it takes five days. T20 gives us thrill and speed, but sometimes loses depth. Test Twenty aims to be the perfect middle ground, one day of cricket that still feels like a real contest.

Here’s how it works:

  • A Test Twenty match lasts one day.
  • The game has 80 overs in total.
  • Each team bats twice, and each innings is 20 overs long.
  • The scores carry forward from the first innings to the second.
  • Matches can end as a win, loss, tie, or draw just like in Tests.

That means the game flows like a mini-Test but fits into the schedule of a single day, perfect for fans who want depth and energy.

There are also a few unique twists:

  • Powerplay: Each team gets a 4-over Powerplay (captain’s choice of when to use it). Only 2 fielders can stay outside the 30-yard circle during this time.
  • Follow-On Rule: If the team batting second trails by 75 or more runs after both teams’ first innings, they can be forced to bat again.
  • Early Collapse Rule: If a team is bowled out before 10 overs, their remaining overs go to the opponent’s innings, adding more pressure to perform well.

These new touches are designed to make the game tactical, fair, fun and every decision will matter.

Future of Test Twenty

Test Twenty isn’t just about creating a new format, it’s also about creating the future of cricket. The tournament mainly focuses on young players aged 13 to 19, giving them a global platform to shine.

To make the process fair and modern, the organisers will use an AI-powered scouting system called the AI Discovery Engine. This system analyses players videos, stats, and performances to find genuine talent - even from small towns or lesser-known regions.

Here’s how the player selection will work:

  • Two ways to enter: through direct recommendations or open trials.
  • AI analysis will study each player’s skills, mindset, and consistency.
  • The best ones will move to a Global Player Pool.
  • Then, franchises will select players through an auction system.

The first season will have six franchises, three from India and three from abroad (Dubai, London, and a U.S. city). Each team will include 16 players half local, half international.

Legends Behind the Idea

Famous people backing Test Twenty, who shaped modern cricket.

  • AB de Villiers called it “innovation with intent” saying it keeps the heart of cricket beating while bringing in something new.
  • Sir Clive Lloyd said it “brings back the rhythm and art of real cricket but with a modern touch.”
  • Matthew Hayden believes it gives young players a way to grow both as athletes and as people.
  • Harbhajan Singh described it as “a fresh heartbeat for the sport.”

These are signs that the cricket world wants something different, something refreshing yet respectful of the past.

The Challenge and the Promise

Of course, every bold idea faces questions. Can Test Twenty truly balance strategy and excitement? Will Test fans accept a one-day version of their sacred format? And will young fans, used to fireworks, enjoy the slower psychological battles?

But despite these doubts, the promise is huge. Cricket has always evolved from timeless Tests to ODIs, from ODIs to T20s and now, maybe, to Test Twenty. It’s not trying to replace anything. It’s trying to stand beside them, offering a new way to enjoy the sport, to discover young talent, and to keep cricket’s heartbeat strong in a changing world.

When January 2026 arrives, and the first ball of Test Twenty is bowled, fans will be watching closely. Whether it becomes the next big thing or just an interesting experiment, one thing is certain that the spirit of cricket keeps finding new ways to play, and Test Twenty might just be the most exciting chapter yet.