Cricket Introduces Revolutionary Fourth Format: Test Twenty

TDT | Manama

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Cricket is stepping into a new era with the launch of Test Twenty, the sport’s fourth format that combines the strategic depth of Test cricket with the explosive pace of T20. The world’s first 80-over format is scheduled to debut globally in 2026 through the Junior Test Twenty Championship, designed exclusively for players aged 13 to 19.

The format was unveiled by cricket legends AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Harbhajan Singh, and Sir Clive Lloyd, alongside Gaurav Bahirvani, the creator of Test Twenty and CEO of Test Twenty Ltd.

Key Features of Test Twenty

Each match consists of two innings of 20 overs per team, with first-innings scores carried into the second. Matches are completed in a single day, producing results of win, loss, tie, or draw. In tied games, a Super Session decides the winner, while draws are conditional on wickets retained in the second innings.

Innovative rules include a single Powerplay, follow-on enforcement, early collapse penalties, bowling restrictions, cumulative wides/no-ball penalties, and strict over-rate control. These changes maintain cricket’s traditional essence while introducing a fast-paced, tactical edge.

Franchises and Global Selection Process

The Junior Test Twenty Championship will feature six founding franchises, three international and three Indian, co-owned by rising icons and children of celebrated personalities. Players can join via Direct Entry, recommended by coaches and cricketers, or the AI-powered Standard Entry, which uses motion sensors and advanced analytics to ensure a transparent, merit-based global selection.

From an initial pool of 1,000 players, the top 300 advance to the Global Auction Pool for franchise drafts, with remaining players entering a Wildcard Pool. Player performance will be assessed using the Test Twenty® Intelligence Index™ (TTII), measuring skill, decision-making, and temperament.

With its innovative rules and global scouting framework, Test Twenty offers young cricketers a groundbreaking stage to shine, blending tradition with modern intensity and setting the stage for cricket’s next evolution.