Cricket is entering a transformative era with the launch of Test Twenty, a new format that blends the endurance of Test cricket with the thrill of T20. Designed as a one-day Test match featuring 80 overs, the concept introduces a two-innings-per-side structure — 20 overs each — combining the strategy and patience of Test play with the pace and spectacle of limited-overs cricket.

“This is not another league; it’s a living tribute to the spirit of cricket,” said Gaurav Bahirvani, Executive Chairman of the One One Six Network and architect of the Fourth Format. “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.”

Each team will bat twice, with cumulative scores carried over, ensuring matches retain the full spectrum of cricket’s traditional outcomes — win, loss, tie, or draw. The format remains fast, strategic, and immersive, where “every over and every decision matters.”

Positioned between Test and T20 formats, Test Twenty revives the depth of red-ball cricket while adapting it to modern broadcasting and attention spans. The innovation marks cricket’s next major evolution after the advent of ODIs and T20s — and arrives as the sport makes its long-awaited return to the Olympic Games.

Standing alongside Bahirvani are some of cricket’s most respected names: AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh, who together form the Test Twenty Advisory Board. Their collective mission is to ensure the game evolves without losing its soul.

A statement from the group described the initiative as “a bold new evolution that fuses the depth of Test cricket with the energy of T20, built to discover and celebrate the next generation of cricketing royalty.”

Supporting Bahirvani operationally is Michael Fordham, former CEO of the Rajasthan Royals IPL team, who joins as Chief Operating Officer. A veteran of international sports management, Fordham brings decades of experience in building and commercializing global cricket platforms.

Legends Speak: Innovation with Integrity

AB de Villiers – The Innovator: “Test Twenty is innovation with intent — it honors 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 de Villiers, calling the Fourth Format “the natural next step in the game’s evolution — modern, meaningful, and purpose-driven.”

Sir Clive Lloyd – The Statesman: “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 the first-ever World Cup-winning captain.

Matthew Hayden – The Visionary Mentor: “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 said, emphasizing Test Twenty’s focus on education, mentorship, and character-building.

Harbhajan Singh – The Torchbearer: “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, who brings passion, authenticity, and a commitment to integrity to the movement.

Together, these icons form the intellectual and operational core of Test Twenty — a platform that balances heritage with innovation, wisdom with technology, and legacy with youth.

Bahirvani and his team have outlined “The Four Pillars of Test Twenty”, representing the foundation of what they call cricket’s Fourth Format — a unified, youth-driven vision for the sport’s future.

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