On Thursday, the 16th of October, Cricket witnessed its most stunning transition with the introduction of a new format in World cricket history. The format is named Test Twenty and will be a career-defining path for young talents aged 13-19 from around the world.
Over 10 decades Cricket has slowly transitioned as a widely loved sport and in recent times, it has inspired generations. Despite being a widely played sport, it lacks a single platform to unify young players from around the world.
The latest format, the Test Twenty, was created in order to change that. This would be the first youth global movement to nurture and commemorate emerging talent at every corner of the globe. The message is loud and simple: cricket should evolve with time while remaining true to its spirit.
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Cricket gets revolutionized under Sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani
If Cricket is standing at the juncture of its most defining evolution, it is due to this one man who has taken the initiative to redefine cricket in this new era, and the man is none other than sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of the 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, the Test Twenty is a youth global movement and will provide opportunities to young cricketers aged 13 to 19.
The Players will be assessed based on their skills and through a multi-level selection process leading to an elite auction pool for franchise selection. Even those who do not make it to 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, there have been talks about the inclusion of women cricketers, ensuring equality at the heart of cricket’s next era.
“What NCAA has done for basketball in the U.S, we are creating the NCAA-equivalent for global cricket,” Bahirvani remarked. “We’re constructing a connected talent ecosystem – a global feeder line – that gives every young player regardless of gender, background, or geography, an equal path to recognition and growth.”
Leadership behind shaping the Test Twenty
Alongside the visionary, some former legends of the game have stood alongside Gaurav Bahirvani in shaping the future of cricket. The greatest names being AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh – the four cricketers from different nations standing firm as the cornerstone of this unique initiative.
“Test Twenty is innovation with intent – it honours 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,” said AB de Villiers.
“Having lived through every era of cricket, I can say this – the game has always adapted, but never this thoughtfully. Test Twenty brings back the art and rhythm of the sport, yet keeps it alive with modern energy,” said Sir Clive Lloyd, the first-ever World Cup winning captain.
“As a player and a parent, I see this as cricket’s bridge between eras – a format that carries the wisdom of the old world into the fire of the new. For young players, this is a chance to grow not just as athletes, but as people,” said Matthew Hayden.
“Cricket needed a fresh heartbeat – something that connects today’s youth with the game’s original spirit. Test Twenty does exactly that,” said Harbhajan Singh.
Supporting Gaurav’s vision and intent, Michael Fordham has joined the Test Twenty as their Chief Operating Officer; with years of experience, he is a monumental figure in global sports management.
All you need to know about the Test Twenty format
The Test Twenty fuses the Test and T20 cricket, adding speed as well as spectacle to a single format. The format will be played over 80 overs, featuring two innings of 20 overs each per side.
The basic rules of scores and leads are carried forward, while matches can end in a win, loss, draw, or tie between the sides; hence, every game restores cricket’s unpredictability.
Another major path-breaking 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 paired alongside sensor technologies, data science, and cutting-edge motion techniques for both bat and ball.
Test Twenty’s key differentiator is its “three-tiered selection model” that blends machine intelligence with an expert review, hence also removing any bias caused by human interference.
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