Cricket is about to get a major shake-up. The sport that has given us Test matches, ODIs, and T20s is now introducing a revolutionary fourth format called “Test Twenty”, a one-day hybrid that promises to combine the strategic depth of Test cricket with the explosive intensity of T20 matches.
So how does it work? Each Test Twenty match will span 80 overs total, with both teams batting twice in 20-over innings. It’s basically like compressing a Test match into a single day while maintaining the traditional two-innings format that makes Test cricket so strategically complex.
What makes this format really interesting is its flexibility. Unlike T20s where draws are impossible, Test Twenty allows for all possible results, win, loss, tie, or even a draw.
The format also includes some exciting innovations like powerplays borrowed from limited-overs cricket, the possibility of enforcing follow-ons like in Tests, and over-rate penalties to keep the game moving at a good pace.
The brainchild behind this innovative format comes from cricketing legend AB de Villiers and developer Gaurav Bahirvani. They’ve designed Test Twenty to strike the perfect balance between aggressive batting and strategic gameplay, appealing to both traditional Test cricket fans and the T20 generation.
Cricket fans won’t have to wait long to see it in action. The first major event, the Junior Test Twenty Championship 2026, will feature global franchises and focus on nurturing young cricketing talent, giving the next generation a chance to shine in this exciting new format.
