What is Test Twenty? All you need to know about cricket’s new format

Published - 17 Oct 2025, 18:09 IST | Updated - 17 Oct 2025, 18:22 IST

Cricket is set to witness a new format in the form of Test Twenty, officially unveiled on October 16, 2025. Conceived by sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, this format looks to bring the strategies of traditional Test cricket to T20s.

Backed by legends like AB de Villiers, Harbhajan Singh, Sir Clive Lloyd, and Matthew Hayden, Test Twenty is expected to be a modern, broadcast-friendly cricket experience designed to engage fans, especially those aged 13 to 19. They have lent their support, stating the format’s potential to bridge the gap between cricket’s tradition and its fast-moving present.

Test Twenty is being hailed as the fourth format of cricket, following Tests, ODIs, and T20s. The objective is to retain Test cricket while compressing the action into a single day. Matches feature a total of 80 overs, two innings of 20 overs per team.

Matches in Test Twenty will allow each team to play two innings of 20 overs, with the standard outcomes of a win, loss, tie, or draw possible. The rules include a four-over PowerPlay per team, the ability to enforce a follow-on with a first-innings lead of 75 runs or more, and a maximum of five bowlers per match, each limited to eight overs.

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In keeping with Test cricket traditions, matches are played in whites with a red ball. The tournament format also brings global inclusion with six franchises, three from Indian cities and three international teams representing London, Dubai, and a U.S. city, will compete, each with 16 players, equally split between domestic and international talent.

The AI Discovery Engine is central to the format, mixing video analysis, motion-sensor technology, and data-driven scouting. This system leads to unbiased talent assessment, helping coaches, franchises, and cricket boards identify potential stars based on real performance metrics.

Test Twenty’s first season is slated for January 2026. The format also hopes to create a global community of young cricketers who experience multicultural team dynamics, playing under pressure, and strategic thinking. The format is designed to complement existing cricket structures rather than compete with them.