Test Twenty: Cricket’s Bold New Hybrid Format to Redefine the Game by 2026

Cricket Embarks upon an Exciting New Chapter with Test Twenty

Cricket is on the verge of a major revolution with Test Twenty, an 80-over hybrid format that expertly fuses the strategy of Test cricket with T20 flair. The new format is the brainchild of Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of The One One Six Network, and is poised to engage both the players and publication-readers who enjoy Test cricket as well as T20 format.

In a departure from all known formats of cricket, Test Twenty will see both sides bat two innings of 20 overs per side enabling both sides to bat two innings per day. It uses traditional outcomes such as win, loss, tie, and draw with the intensity of the modern era.

Test Twenty: Made for Today’s Cricket Fans

Test Twenty isn’t just a new cricket idea; it’s the sport’s fourth format, designed for how people enjoy the game now. It’s played in four parts. Each session has 20 overs. There are breaks between sessions so teams can rethink their plans and change their approach.

The people in charge call it Test match smarts at T20 speed. It puts value back on being patient, building partnerships, and outthinking your opponent things you don’t always see in fast-paced franchise cricket. At the same time, it keeps the game exciting and quick for viewers everywhere.

Legends​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Behind the Vision

The Test Twenty project is supported by an elite Advisory Board of cricketing legends AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh each one of them providing their insight to this contemporary recreation.

AB de Villiers termed it as “innovation with intent,” seeing it as an opportunity for the next generation to “chase a new dream.”

It was noted by Sir Clive Lloyd, who raised the World Cup for the first time with the West Indies, that cricket “has never adapted this thoughtfully.”

Matthew Hayden referred to the new format as “a bridge between eras,” that is, a combination of heritage and thrill.

Harbhajan Singh called it “a fresh heartbeat for the sport,” a combination of tradition and youthful vigor.

Supporting Bahirvani on the ground is Michael Fordham, ex-CEO of Rajasthan Royals, who is now coming as Chief Operating Officer to lead the project’s ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌release.

The Road to 2026 Test Twenty: Teams, Players, and the Future

The first officially endorsed Test Twenty season is scheduled to start in January 2026, with stories of six franchises (3 from India; 3 abroad) located in Dubai, London, and a US city not yet determined.

Each of the teams will have a roster of 16 players (8 Indian + 8 overseas), providing a blend of world-class diversity and local flavor. A 96-player auction will fill rosters, while 204 players in the Wildcard Pool are eligible for selection during the season.

By creating a scenario that both mimics the endurance of red-ball cricket while honoring the thrill of T20, Test Twenty may become the central innovation in modern cricket – bringing together the elements of tradition, skill, and entertainment in one format.