Cricket has come a long way from the days of timeless Tests to the high-octane world of T20 leagues. Purists may disagree on this but each evolution — from ODIs to T20s, The Hundred and even T10 — has reflected the game’s constant reinvention to suit new audiences and changing times.
Now, another experiment is set to feature on the list called ‘Test Twenty’. This newly-introduced format promises to blend the depth of Test cricket with the thrill of T20s, all in one day.
What is ‘Test Twenty’?
‘Test Twenty’ is set to make its debut early next year. Designed for youth players aged 13 to 19, the format will feature four innings of 20 overs each, played in traditional white jerseys with the red ball.
The creators describe it as a “fusion of intensity and meaning”. Teams will have one four-over PowerPlay during the match, a follow-on option with a 75-run lead and a limit of five bowlers per team. Each bowler will be allowed to bowl a maximum of eight overs. Matches can end in wins, losses, ties or draws.
At the launch event in Mumbai, ‘Test Twenty’ founder Gaurav Bahirvani said the new format was born from a desire to unite young cricketers across the world. “This is not another league, it is a living tribute to the spirit of cricket. Test Twenty preserves the game’s legacy while shaping its future,” he said.
The competition’s first official outing will be the Junior Test Twenty Championship, launching in early 2026. It will feature six franchises — three from India and three global teams based in London, Dubai and a US city. Each franchise will have 16 players — eight Indian and eight international — and the inaugural edition will be played entirely in India. A girls’ league will follow in the second season.
AI to scout young talents
Adding a tech-driven edge, the tournament will introduce a proprietary AI Discovery Engine — combining motion sensors, machine learning and video analytics to scout and develop young players. The system will feed into a three-tier global selection model, designed to make youth talent discovery more scientific and inclusive.
AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden and Harbhajan Singh are members of the Advisory Board of ‘Test Twenty’. For the cricketing icons backing the project, the format represents both innovation and continuity.
“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,” de Villiers said. Lloyd said, “Having lived through every era of cricket, I can say this — the game has always adapted, but never this thoughtfully. Test Twenty brings back the art and rhythm of the sport, yet keeps it alive with modern energy.”
Matthew Hayden added, “As a player and a parent, I see this as cricket’s bridge between eras — a format that carries the wisdom of the old world into the fire of the new. For young players, this is a chance to grow not just as athletes, but as people.” According to Harbhajan Singh, “Cricket needed a fresh heartbeat — something that connects today’s youth with the game’s original spirit. Test Twenty does exactly that.”