New Era in Cricket: Test Twenty for the Next Generation Players
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Test Twenty blends Test match depth with T20 excitement, a fresh
2026 format for young cricketers. Let’s get to know about this in detail.
A New Format in Cricket: Test Twenty
A brand-new format called “Test
Twenty” is set to be introduced in cricket soon. From 2026 onwards, matches
in this new format will begin. The match will be of 80 overs in total,
played across two innings per side, with each innings consisting of
20 overs. Legendary players like Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden,
Harbhajan
Singh, AB de Villiers are backing and supporting this format.
This format has been designed keeping the younger generation of cricketers (ages 13 to 19) in mind. Let’s look in detail at the rules, structure and selection process of this upcoming format.
1) Match Duration and Structure:
i) Each match will be of 80 overs in total.
Both
teams will bat twice, with each innings of 20 overs.
Like
in Test cricket, the scores from both innings will be combined to decide
the winner.
The
entire match will be played and completed in a single day.
If the match ends in a tie, the winner will be decided through a Super Over.
2) Power Play:
i)
Each
team will get one Power Play.
The
team captain will decide in which innings to use it.
The
Power Play will last for 4 overs, during which only two fielders
are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
The Power Play must be taken between the start of the 1st innings and the 7th over of the 2nd innings.
3) Follow-On Rule:
i)
Similar
to Test matches, the Follow-On rule applies here.
In
Tests, a team 200 runs behind can be forced to follow on, but in Test Twenty,
the margin is reduced to 75 runs.
4) Early Collapse Clause:
i)
This
rule applies only to the first innings.
If
Team A, batting first, is all out before 10 overs, then Team B
will get 3 extra overs in their first innings (i.e., they can bat 23
overs instead of 20).
Similarly, if Team B is all out within 10 overs of their first innings, then Team A will get 23 overs in their second innings.
5) Bowling Allocation:
i)
A
maximum of five bowlers can bowl for a team.
Each bowler can bowl a total of up to 8 overs across both innings combined. (However, the rule regarding the number of bowlers may be subject to change.)
6) Wide & No-Balls:
i)
For
every wide or no-ball, 1 run and an extra delivery will be
awarded.
The
Free Hit rule is yet to be finalized.
A
new cumulative penalty system is introduced:
If a bowler bowls 3 or more
wides/no-balls in a single over, the batting side will receive an
additional 3-run penalty.
For example, if a bowler bowls 4 wides, the batting team gets 4 + 3 = 7 runs in total.
7) Conditional ‘Draw’:
i)
During
the 2nd innings of the team batting second, if they lose fewer than 5
wickets, the captain can offer a draw.
Once
5 wickets are lost, the option to draw is no longer available.
However, if the match is interrupted due to weather or any other reason, it may also end in a draw.
8) Over Rate Penalty:
i)
Before
the match, the match referee will set a time limit for both
teams.
If
a team fails to complete their overs within the allotted time:
They will be penalized 5 runs,
and
They will also lose one strategic timeout.
9) Tie and Super Session:
i)
If
the aggregate scores of both teams are equal, the result will be decided
through a Super Session, a one-over eliminator for each side.
If still tied, the team with the higher total boundary count (fours + sixes) across both innings will be declared the winner.
Global Selection Process:
Interested young
players can register on the official website.
Selection will take place through two methods:
1. Direct Entry:
Includes applicants recommended by
recognized coaches or administrators, or promising young cricketers.
2. Standard Entry Route:
A) Begins with AI-powered selection
and city trials held across India and worldwide.
B) The system uses motion sensors,
data intelligence, and player profiling to make the process transparent
and merit-based.
From these trials, National and World Pools of 1,000 players will be formed. They will then be evaluated using the Test Twenty Intelligence Index (TTII) which measures skill, decision-making, and temperament. Out of these 1,000 players, the top 300 will advance to the Global Auction Pool, where six franchises will draft 96 players (each franchise picking 8 Indian and 8 international players). The remaining 204 players will form the Wildcard Pool.
Franchises and Co-Ownership
Like the T20 league, this will also have team owners & different franchises. The Junior Test Twenty Championship
will feature six founding franchises, three Indian and three
international. Each franchise will be co-owned by the next generation of
icons, including children of celebrated cricketers, actors,
entrepreneurs, and global personalities.
Thank You.
