Cricket is set to embrace a groundbreaking evolution with the introduction of Test Twenty, a hybrid format that merges the strategic depth of Test cricket with the fast-paced intensity of T20. Scheduled for its global debut in 2026, the Junior Test Twenty Championship will serve as the inaugural platform for this innovative format, exclusively targeting young players aged 13 to 19. The tournament will feature six founding franchises, equally divided between international and Indian teams, co-owned by a new generation of icons, including the offspring of legendary cricketers, actors, and entrepreneurs.
Test Twenty introduces an 80-over format, with each team playing two innings of 20 overs. Matches will be completed in a single day, offering outcomes of win, loss, tie, or draw. In case of a tie, a super over will determine the winner, while a draw requires the batting team to retain at least five wickets until the final ball. The format also incorporates unique rules such as a Powerplay option, a follow-on clause, and an early collapse penalty, alongside advanced AI-driven player selection processes.
Cricket luminaries like AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh have endorsed the format, praising its potential to nurture young talent on a global stage. The selection process will involve both direct and standard entry routes, leveraging AI-powered scouting engines and city trials to identify the top 300 players for the Global Auction Pool. From there, six franchises will draft 96 players, with the remaining forming a Wildcard Pool.
Test Twenty aims to redefine cricket’s future by blending tradition with innovation, offering a unique platform for young athletes to showcase their skills while maintaining the sport’s core essence.