Cricket Enters A New Era — TEST TWENTY Unveiled

Cricket has taken a defining step forward with the launch of Test Twenty®, a bold new 80-over format that merges the strategy of Test cricket with the energy of T20. Conceived by visionary sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of the One One Six Network, the Fourth Format aims to create a global movement celebrating young talent and reimagining the game’s future.

A NEW FORMAT FOR A NEW AGE

Test Twenty® features two innings of 20 overs per side, with scores carried forward — combining depth, speed, and tactical balance. “This is not another league; it’s a living tribute to the spirit of cricket,” said Gaurav Bahirvani. “We’re preserving the game’s legacy while shaping its future.”

LEGENDS BEHIND THE MOVEMENT

The Test Twenty Advisory Board includes AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh, alongside Michael Fordham (former CEO of Rajasthan Royals) as Chief Operating Officer.

“Test Twenty is innovation with intent — it honours the traditions of the game while embracing the possibilities of the future,” said AB de Villiers. “The game has always adapted, but never this thoughtfully. Test Twenty brings back the art and rhythm of cricket,” said Sir Clive Lloyd. “It’s cricket’s bridge between eras — carrying the wisdom of the old world into the fire of the new,” said Matthew Hayden. “Cricket needed a fresh heartbeat — Test Twenty does exactly that,” said Harbhajan Singh.

THE FOUR PILLARS OF TEST TWENTY

1. A New Format:80 overs, two innings, one day — fast, strategic, and immersive.

2. A New Generation:Open to cricketers aged 13 to 19, with merit-based selection through the AI Discovery Engine. Women’s participation begins from Season Two.“What NCAA has done for basketball, we’re creating for global cricket,” said Bahirvani.

3. A New Technology:A proprietary AI system blends machine learning, video analytics, and motion sensors for objective, data-driven player evaluation.

4. A New Tournament:The first full season begins January 2026, with six franchises — three in India and three international. Talent will emerge from the Junior Test Twenty Championship™, the world’s largest youth cricket discovery event across 50+ nations.

THE ROAD TO SELECTION

Registration opens October 16, 2025, at 7 PM IST on www.testtwenty.com. Players can apply via the Direct Entry Route (through recommendations) or Standard Entry Route (AI evaluation and trials).From national and global pools, the top 300 players will advance to the Global Auction Pool, where franchises will draft squads of 16 players each — eight Indian and eight international.

VOICES OF SUPPORT

Niranjan Shah: “Test Twenty bridges the timeless spirit of Test cricket with modern energy, giving young talent a true global stage.” Madan Lal: “This is the platform the next generation needs — connecting the classic and the modern game.” AB de Villiers: “Test Twenty is not replacing Test cricket — it refines it for the next generation.” Sir Clive Lloyd: “It restores the art of building an innings and the rhythm we once cherished.” Matthew Hayden: “It’s more than a tournament — it’s a bridge between generations.” Harbhajan Singh: “It’s bold, intelligent, and built for the next generation.”