As concerns deepen about the declining relevance of Test cricket in the modern era, a new concept aiming to bridge the gap between the traditional and the contemporary has entered the discussion a hybrid format called “Test Twenty.”
Unveiled on Thursday by Indian sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, executive chairman of the One One Six Network, the proposed format claims to merge the strategic intensity of Test cricket with the fast-paced excitement of T20. The initiative already has the backing of some of the game’s greats, including AB de Villiers, Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh.
According to the official announcement, “Test Twenty fuses the depth and tactics of red-ball cricket with the entertainment and tempo of the shortest format.” Each match will span 80 overs, with teams batting two innings of 20 overs each, and scores carried over — a key nod to Test cricket’s structure. Matches can end in a win, loss, tie, or draw, preserving the unpredictability that defines the sport.
Dubbed by its creators as the “Fourth Format”, Test Twenty will first be introduced at the youth level, targeting players aged 13 to 19 from across the world. Selection will follow a data-driven, merit-based evaluation, with the best 300 young cricketers advancing to an elite global auction pool.
The inaugural season is set for January 2026, featuring six franchises three international (based in Dubai, London, and a U.S. city) and three from India. Each team will reportedly include a “star-kid” celebrity stakeholder and will source players through the Junior Test Twenty Championship, which will serve as the main talent pipeline.
Former South African captain AB de Villiers expressed optimism about the idea, saying, “I genuinely believe this fourth format can add a new dimension to our game. We all love T20 cricket, but Test cricket holds a special place in our hearts we want it to thrive for generations to come.”
The introduction of Test Twenty comes at a time when Test cricket’s survival is a growing topic of debate. Lower-ranked teams have struggled to maintain consistent schedules, while India, England, and Australia continue to dominate the traditional five-match series circuit. Discussions around a two-tier Test system have surfaced as a potential solution but remain unaddressed at the official level.
Whether “Test Twenty” becomes a revolutionary bridge between formats or just another experimental chapter in cricket’s evolution remains to be seen. But one thing is clear the future of Test cricket is once again up for debate, and this time, it might come in 20-over bursts.
