A new sensation has hit the world of cricket. On October 16th, a new format called Test Twenty was launched, combining Test and T20 cricket.
This is the idea of sports businessman Gaurav Bahirwani and is being supported by legends like AB de Villiers, Harbhajan Singh, Clive Lloyd, and Matthew Hayden.
This format targets young people aged 13 to 19, hoping to further spread cricket.

What is Test Twenty and how will it be played?
In this format, matches will consist of a total of 80 overs. Each team will play two innings, each of 20 overs. Scores will be calculated from both innings, just like in Test cricket. The rules will be a mix of Test and T20 cricket, with some new changes.
Matches can end in a win, loss, tie, or draw. Gaurav Bahirwani stated that the first two editions will be held in India, starting in January 2026.
What did sports businessman Gaurav Bahirwani say about Test Twenty20?
He explained, “I think it was very clear for us to launch it in our own country, where there are the most eyes on cricket.
So we’re launching it in India. We’re going to play in India for a few years, and the idea is to make it a touring league. We want to eventually take it to different countries.
The reason for that is also that I’m quite interested in non-traditional countries coming in. I want the kids in those countries to adopt cricket as a sport, just like we do in India.”
Then he added, “You know we didn’t know about rugby or basketball for a very long time until we got the chance through the internet and we started playing those sports in India.
We want to take cricket to those countries as well and if it becomes a touring league, the youth will also get to travel around, just like these great players have spent their entire lives playing in different countries and I think that experience is also very important.
So yeah, that’s the answer to the question that we’re going to launch. it in India and for the initial few years we’re going to play in India.”
What does the expert say?
Clive Lloyd supported this format and said that Test cricket has been ignored.
He said, “The issue is I am a fan of Test cricket. There’s no doubt about that. I believe we’ve neglected Test cricket over the years, and I think it’s time to put it back into the system.
Because really, I find it very difficult to judge you as a top cricketer, first-class cricketer or Test cricketer. If you’ve played to the highest level. And as I said before, it’s a test.”
He further said, “It tests every aspect of your cricketing ability. And I don’t want to see the demise of Test cricket. I think it would be a tragedy if we don’t want to go forward like that. And I want to ask if we have the support of the ICC? Do we have countries that will support this? Because it will help them. Because I know that we in the West Indies are struggling with sustenance.
Because it’s a very difficult position for us. 14 islands, only 5 million people. And if we don’t have money to look after our cricket, we’re going to be in the doldrums for quite a while. So I want to see Test cricket get support. So I want to support this system.”
In this championship, stadium entry will be free for children aged 13-19, with ID proof. Gaurav said that they will fill the stadiums, even if it takes time.
But this format will help globalize cricket, especially in non-traditional countries.