Test Twenty Gains Momentum with Global Cricket Stalwarts Backing the Vision

As I write this, I have just received an invitation from Gaurav Bahirvani for an evening of cricket conversation with AB de Villiers in Mumbai. The evening will also feature Rajkumar Sharma and will deliberate on the road ahead for Test Twenty. Both ABD and Rajkumar are important names and add considerable heft to the project. They have serious work behind them and, while Rajkumar brings the coaching perspective, ABD is one of the finest players ever to have graced the sport. With Matthew Hayden and Sir Clive Lloyd also part of the board, Bahirvani has put together a team of stalwarts, and that should go a long way towards inspiring anyone who wants to register for the project.

Rajkumar, best known as Virat Kohli’s coach, was excited by the opportunity. “It is a unique concept and will elevate the women’s game considerably,” he said. “The girls will benefit from playing alongside the boys, and seeing them in leadership roles will be great. There will be enough motivation to push themselves and improve, and it should help the overall growth of the sport.”

The concept has many things going for it. It is a mix of red-ball and white-ball cricket, it has both women and men equally empowered, and it is tailor-made for the youth. With the 19–21 age group now included, the catchment area has expanded as well. Finally, it is a global concept that will attract international talent while also helping with socialisation and exposure.

The one thing I do not think receives adequate attention in sport is socialisation. While one per cent of people who play sport are able to build successful careers, the remaining 99 per cent go on to do other things. For them, socialisation and exposure are key. You will often find sportspeople reluctant to speak publicly because they are unsure of themselves. A lack of socialisation is often the reason.

With a global talent pool, Test Twenty will address this issue from the very outset. Its board also reflects this global mindset. Rajkumar and Gaurav are from India, ABD is from South Africa, while Hayden and Sir Clive represent Australia and the Caribbean respectively. Sir Clive is currently a resident of Manchester, so in every sense this is a global concept that will provide every entrant with an international outlook.

With so many things going for it, the organisers now need to get the season under way as soon as possible. Clearly, there is interest and, with all the momentum behind them, the action now has to begin. Having seen the concept evolve and take shape, we will follow its growth closely and will also cover the format in detail because we believe it has the potential to become an aspirational story for many. Tonight’s fireside chat in Mumbai will offer everyone present a glimpse of what lies ahead.

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