The beginning of a new era in cricket: The thrill of two innings in a day in the ‘Test Twenty’ format

A new chapter has begun in world cricket—with the advent of ‘Test Twenty’. This is a revolutionary cricket format, where the match will be completed in a day while maintaining the strategy and depth of Test cricket. Each match will have two innings, with each inning consisting of 20 overs. In other words, this new format, which combines the image of Test and the thrill of T20, can take cricket to a different level.

The inventor of this innovative format is Gaurav Bahirbhani, Executive Chairman of One-One Six Network and sports entrepreneur. He said, “This is not just a new league, but an attempt to build the future by maintaining the tradition of cricket. We want the talent of the next generation of cricketers to be properly discovered and celebrated through this format.” According to his vision, Test Twenty20 is a platform where Test cricket will have the mindset and strategy, but will be played at the pace of T20 – the spectators will get the fast-paced thrill, the players will get the tactical challenge.

The first season of this new tournament will start in January 2026. Six international franchise teams will participate in the inaugural edition. Each team will have eight local and eight international players, so that global talent is combined. The tournament structure is arranged in such a way that each team plays two innings to determine the result, and the tactical aspect of the game is also maintained.

Test Twenty20 is not only a platform for international stars, but it is also creating a new opportunity for young talented cricketers. The ‘Junior Test Twenty20 Championship’ is being launched for players aged 13 to 19, where they will be able to showcase their skills at the international level. The performances of the participating youngsters will be analyzed through artificial intelligence (AI) and video analysis, so that the judging process is impartial and transparent. The registration process has already started from October 16, which has created excitement among young cricket fans around the world.

The advisory board of this new format includes four legendary stars of world cricket—AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden and Harbhajan Singh. AB de Villiers said, “This is the beginning of a new dream for the players and the audience.” According to Sir Clive Lloyd, “This format has brought the art and rhythm of cricket to life in a new way.” Matthew Hadden believes, “It is building a bridge between the old and the new generations.” And Harbhajan Singh said, “Cricket needed a new heartbeat—Test Twenty20 is doing just that.”

Experts believe that Test Twenty20 will usher in a new era in the world of cricket. Here, the strategy of Tests, the plan of ODIs and the pace of T20s will come together. As a result, not only will the game be short and audience-oriented, but the players will also get a chance to prove their tactical and mental capabilities. This new chapter in the history of cricket is expected to make the game more vibrant and popular worldwide in the future.