On Thursday, October 16, cricket witnessed the most astonishing change in world cricket history with the introduction of a new format. The format has been named Test Twenty and will be a career-defining pathway for young talents aged 13-19 from around the world.
Cricket has gradually transformed into a widely loved sport over 10 decades and in recent times, it has inspired generations. Despite being a widely played game, it lacks a platform to unite young players around the world.
The latest format, Test Twenty, was created to change this. It will be the first youth global movement to nurture and honor emerging talents in every corner of the world. The message is clear and simple: cricket must evolve with the times while remaining true to its spirit.
There has been a revolution in cricket under the leadership of sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirwani.
If cricket stands at its most decisive evolutionary juncture, it is because of this one person who has taken the initiative to redefine cricket in this new era, and that person is none other than sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirwani, Executive Chairman of One One Six Network and architect of the fourth format.
Test Twenty is a format that reimagines the future of world cricket and sets the stage for its greatest reinvention. More than just being a format, Test Twenty is a youth global movement and will provide opportunities to young cricketers aged 13 to 19.
Players will be evaluated based on their skills and through a multi-tier selection process, creating an exclusive auction pool for franchise selection. Even those who don’t make it into the pool remain within the Test Twenty ecosystem and gain access to training and mentorship, and look to return with each season.
The first season will begin in January 2026. From the second season onwards, there has been talk of including women cricketers, ensuring equality at the heart of the next era of cricket.
Bahirwani commented, “What the NCAA has done for basketball in America, we are creating an NCAA-equivalent for global cricket.” “We are building a connected talent ecosystem – a global feeder line – that provides equal pathways to recognition and development for every young player, regardless of gender, background or geography.”
Leadership behind shaping Test Twenty
Along with the visionaries, some of the former legends of the game have stood by Gaurav Bahirwani in shaping the future of cricket. The greatest names are AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden and Harbhajan Singh – four cricketers from different countries standing strong as the cornerstone of this unique initiative.
AB de Villiers said, “Test Twenty is innovation with intent – ​​it respects the traditions of the game while embracing the possibilities of the future. It gives young players a new dream to chase and fans a new story to follow.”
“Having lived through every era of cricket, I can say this – the game has always adapted, but not so thoughtfully. Test Twenty brings back the art and rhythm of the game, yet keeps it alive with modern energy,” said Sir Clive Lloyd, the first World Cup-winning captain.
Matthew Hayden said, “As a player and a parent, I see it as cricket’s bridge between the ages – a format that takes the wisdom of the old world into the fire of the new world. For young players, it’s a chance to grow not just as athletes, but as people.”
Harbhajan Singh said, “Cricket needs a new heartbeat – something that connects today’s youth with the essence of the game. Test Twenty does exactly that.”
Supporting the Pride’s vision and intent, Michael Fordham has joined Test Twenty as their Chief Operating Officer; With years of experience, he is a key figure in global sports management.
Everything you need to know about the Test Twenty format
Test Twenty combines Test and T20 cricket, combining speed as well as spectacle in a single format. This format will be played for 80 overs, with two innings of 20-20 overs for each side.
The basic rules of score and lead are carried forward, while matches can end in a win, loss, draw or tie between the two sides; Therefore, each game restores the unpredictability of cricket.
Another key pioneering initiative in this format of Test Twenty is a proprietary AI Discovery Engine – an advanced system combining machine learning and video analytics, which will be combined with sensor technologies, data science and cutting-edge motion technologies for both bat and ball.
The main differentiator of Test Twenty is its “three-tier selection model” that blends machine intelligence with expert review, therefore removing any bias caused by human intervention.
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