Cricket is on the verge of its most defining metamorphosis. Today, the sport inaugurates a new era as visionary sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of the One One Six Network and Architect of the Fourth Format, officially unveils Test Twenty, an innovative new format, platform, and global movement that redefines the future of world cricket and lays the groundwork for its most ambitious reinvention yet.
Cricket has inspired generations for decades, but there has never been a single, uniting stage where young players from all around the world may climb together.
Test Twenty was founded to alter that, as a youth-first worldwide movement dedicated to discovering, nurturing, and celebrating rising talent from all corners of the world, fusing the sport’s timeless artistry with the rhythm of the modern day.
Along with Gaurav Bahirvani, some of cricket’s most important individuals – AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh – constitute the Test Twenty Advisory Board.
Their idea is simple yet profound: cricket must grow over time while remaining faithful to its soul.
Michael Fordham (former CEO of the Rajasthan Royals), who joins Test Twenty as Chief Operating Officer, will support Gaurav’s vision operationally. Fordham, a recognised figure in global sports management, has decades of expertise developing, maintaining, and commercialising international cricket systems.
Widely considered as one of contemporary cricket’s most imaginative players, de Villiers sees the Fourth Format as the logical next stage in the game’s evolution: modern, purposeful, and purpose-driven.
On the format, AB de Villiers said, “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.”
Sir Clive Lloyd said, “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.”
Lloyd sees Test Twenty as a resurrection of the game’s lost creativity, a format that celebrates its history while embracing a wiser, quicker future.
Matthew Hayden said, “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.”
Hayden’s voice underscores Test Twenty’s mission of education, mentorship, and character, rather than just competition.
Harbhajan Singh commented, “Cricket needed a fresh heartbeat – something that connects today’s youth with the game’s original spirit. Test Twenty does exactly that.”
Harbhajan provides a generational viewpoint to cricket, with passion, honesty, and a strong desire to see the game’s future chapter guided by integrity and pride.
These heroes and leaders, united by purpose and motivated by belief, serve as the intellectual and operational foundation of Test Twenty, a movement that blends tradition with innovation, wisdom with technology, and legacy with youth.
In the midst of cricket’s most beloved luminaries, Bahirvani announced “The Four Pillars of Test Twenty,” which together herald the arrival of cricket’s Fourth Form. Each pillar signifies a defining milestone in the game’s growth.
1) A New Format
Test Twenty combines the strategic complexity of Test cricket with the pace and spectacle of T20 – a format played over 80 overs, with two innings of 20 overs each, and scores carried forward between innings. Each team bats twice, much like in a Test match, restoring the art of game construction while keeping the action brief, exciting, and broadcast-friendly. The rules of both Test and T20 cricket apply, with some minor tweaks to accommodate the new format. Matches can end in a victory, loss, tie, or draw, guaranteeing that each game has the whole range of cricket’s drama and unpredictability. It’s a quick, strategic, and engrossing style in which every play and decision counts.
Gaurav Bahirvani said, “This is not another league; it’s a living tribute to the spirit of cricket. We’re preserving the game’s legacy while shaping its future. Test Twenty is built to reignite the emotion, artistry, and endurance of Test cricket; all within a single day.”
2) A New Generation
Test Twenty is more than just a format; it is a worldwide youth movement that provides opportunities to young cricketers aged 13 to 19 from all around the world. Players are evaluated only on talent, statistics, and merit in a multi-tiered, analytics-based selection process, resulting in an elite auction pool for franchise selection.
Those that do not make it remain in the Test Twenty environment, where they may get training, coaching, and resources to help them return stronger each season.
Beginning with Season Two, the movement grows to include female players, guaranteeing that diversity and equality are central to cricket’s next age.
“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.”
3) A New Technology
At its core, Test Twenty is powered by a unique AI Discovery Engine, a powerful system that combines machine learning and video analytics, as well as cutting-edge motion-sensor technology for the bat and ball, and data science to accurately evaluate talent and potential.
Test Twenty’s primary differentiation is its “three-tiered selection model,” which combines machine intelligence and expert evaluation to eliminate human bias and allow the most accurate measure of ability to emerge.
Through Tech-Transfer Partnerships (TTPs), this invention can be shared with cricket associations and boards throughout the world, providing coaches and academies with certified performance data and developmental insights.
In doing so, Test Twenty combines history and technology, making talent identification objective, transparent, and merit-based.
“Our aim is to extend technology and complement the global effort to discover talent not compete with any cricketing institution,” Bahirvani emphasised. “We hold deep respect for the work of state associations, counties, and national boards across the world; and, above all, for the ICC. Test Twenty will always remain an ally helping expand the talent pool, serving as a development ladder that strengthens the global feeder line, and building bridges through shared data, technology, and innovation.”
4) A New Tournament
The first complete season of Test Twenty will begin in January 2026, with six high-profile global franchises – three foreign (Dubai, London, and a US city) and three Indian (franchise-choice locations).
Each franchise will be supported by a next-generation celebrity stakeholder (“star-kid”), powered by broadcast innovation, and fuelled by talent discovered through the Junior Test Twenty Championship (JTTC), an annual tournament that spans 50+ nations.
This tournament symbolises more than the birth of a format; it’s the beginning of a new age in cricket – where storytelling, technology, and opportunity meet to create the game’s future.
“We’ve consciously moved away from the idea of a “league”- Test Twenty is built as a championship. And what better way to celebrate excellence than by crowning the champions? That belief sits at the heart of our identity. Our logo proudly bears a crown, intricately designed with cricketing elements woven into its form – look closely and you’ll begin to discover them. At the end of every season, we will quite literally crown the champions, marking not just victory, but legacy. For us, the tournament isn’t the finish line; it’s a global stage – an opportunity for the world to witness exceptional young talent, drawn from diverse, multicultural franchises, competing to showcase skill, character, and the spirit of the new game.”
REGISTRATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
From October 16, 2025, players can apply for Test Twenty at www.testtwenty.com, starting at 7:00 PM IST. Aspiring cricketers can enter via one of two routes: the Direct Entry Route or the Standard Entry Route.
The Direct Entry Route is intended for applicants who acquire a formal recommendation from a certified cricket academy coach, a renowned cricket administrator, or a well-known Indian player (past or present). This fast-track option allows athletes to skip the initial evaluation processes and be evaluated directly for national and global talent pools. The Test Twenty Selection Committee makes the final determination of eligibility, assuring credibility and merit.
All other applicants will follow the Standard Entry Route, which begins with a Level 1 review of Test Twenty’s patented AI Discovery Engine. Shortlisted applicants will advance to City Trials at designated Test Twenty locations around India and the world. From there, 1,000 players will be picked for the National and World Pools.
These players will be evaluated comprehensively, taking into account both on-field talent and mental acuity. The league uses the Test Twenty Intelligence Index (TTII) to evaluate each athlete’s decision-making, emotional control, and tactical thinking through AI simulations and expert evaluations, providing a 360-degree picture.
The top 300 performers from this round will advance to the Global Auction Pool, where franchisees will pick 96 players (eight Indian and eight foreign each team) for the first season. The remaining 204 players will form the Wildcard Pool, which is available for midseason selections under league regulations.
Test Twenty aspires to revolutionise cricket talent scouting by establishing a transparent, merit-based method for identifying players who not only perform but also think at the top level.
Niranjan Shah, former BCCI secretary and former Chairman, NCA, said, “As someone who has seen the evolution of cricket over decades, I believe the Test Twenty format is both a visionary step forward and an defining chapter in cricket’s story. It bridges the timeless spirit of Test cricket with the energy of modern play, offering young talent not only from India, but from every corner of the world a true stage to rise. I have no doubt this platform will redefine opportunity and inspire a new era of cricketers. My warmest wishes to Gaurav and his team for leading this remarkable movement.”
Madan Lal, 1983 World Cup winner and former India National Cricket Coach, said, “I am someone who has lived and breathed cricket, both as a player and as a mentor to young talent, and I believe Test Twenty is exactly the kind of platform the next generation needs. It bridges the gap between the classic and the modern game, offering young cricketers a stage to showcase their skills, while still learning the deeper nuances of cricket. I’ll be incredibly excited to see the boys from my academy step into this arena too, and I have no doubt they will thrive. This is a game-changer for young talent everywhere.”
AB de Villiers, Cricket Legend, Ambassador and Board Advisor, said, “I genuinely believe this fourth format can add a new dimension to our game. Many of us have enjoyed the T20 format over the years, but we still hold particular affection for Test cricket – and we want it to be played and enjoyed forever. This new format strikes me as a thoughtful and smart solution. Test Twenty is not trying to replace Test cricket in any way – it seeks to refine it, even to reimagine it for the next generation. I believe it will work. Test20 will reward resilience and flair, endurance and power – the best of both formats, the best of both worlds, a new horizon.”
Sir Clive Lloyd, Former West Indies Captain, Ambassador and Board Advisor, commented, “Having lived through every era of modern cricket – from the timeless bales of Test matches to lifting the first-ever World Cup – I’ve seen how the game has constantly reinvented itself. But somewhere along the way, cricket lost a li le of its patience, rhythm, and story. Test Twenty brings that balance back. It bridges tradition and tempo; restoring the art of building an innings, the importance of partnerships, and the strategy we once cherished, while keeping the modern audience on the edge of their seats. I’m proud to be part of this new chapter in the game’s evolution – one that honours its heritage, embraces its future, and gives the next generation something truly new to play for.”
Matthew Hayden, Former Australian Opener, Ambassador and Board Advisor, “Test Twenty is one of the most exciting evolutions in modern cricket – a visionary blend of tradition, innovation, and opportunity. As a former international player, administrator, and broadcaster, I’ve seen the game from every angle and this platform genuinely connects the grassroots to the global stage. It’s where raw potential meets real opportunity. For me, it’s also deeply personal. As a father, life coach and commentator, I know how powerful it is to see young talent recognised. Test Twenty makes that dream possible. It’s more than a tournament, it’s a bridge between generations. Go to testtwenty.com, register today, and be part of cricket’s next great chapter.”
Harbhajan Singh, Legendary Indian Spinner, “I’ve seen every format of cricket evolve – from the long ba les of Test cricket to the thrill of T20s, but what Gaurav and his team have created with Test Twenty feels truly fresh. It’s bold, intelligent, and built for the next generation. For young players everywhere, this is more than just another tournament; it’s a stage to prove their skill, discipline, and temperament – the real essence of cricket. I can’t wait to see the world discover the stars of tomorrow through this platform. I’ll encourage all young players and their parents to register and begin this wonderful journey.”
