October 2025 News Roundup: Key Headlines & Insights

October 17

Test Twenty, a new format, is set to launch in January 2026

Six franchises – three international and three Indian – will compete in this 80-over cricket tournament

Combining elements of T20 and Test cricket, the One One Six Network introduces “Test Twenty,” an 80-over format played in four 20-over intervals. Each team will bat twice. Esteemed cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, and Clive Lloyd endorse this format and have joined the Advisory Board.

“Having experienced every cricket era, I recognize the game’s adaptability, but never as thoughtfully as this. Test Twenty revives the sport’s art and rhythm while infusing modern dynamics,” stated Clive Lloyd, the first-ever World Cup winning captain.

“Test Twenty is innovation with a purpose—it respects the game’s traditions and embraces future possibilities. It provides young players new aspirations and offers fans new narratives to follow,” declared de Villiers.

The inaugural full season of Test Twenty kicks off in January 2026, featuring six global franchises, including three international (Dubai, London, and a U.S. city) and three Indian (cities to be chosen by franchises). Each team will have a 16-player roster, comprising eight Indian and eight international players. A total of 96 players will be selected during the auction, with an additional 204 forming a Wildcard Pool through a three-tiered selection process, available for mid-season opportunities.