The former players, AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh, have endorsed the newly-launched format called Test Twenty, which is going to begin early next year.

It will be the fourth format after the ODIs, T20Is, and Test cricket in the sport, as the former, intended for the young players between the ages of 13 and 19, will see the teams playing four innings of twenty overs each.

The new cricket format, called Test Twenty, will be played in white shirts with the red ball and take place on a single day. Each side can take a four-over-long power play once in the entire game and can enforce the follow-on with a first-innings lead of 75 runs or more. A maximum of five bowlers may be used across the match, with one bowler able to bowl a maximum of eight overs.

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“We’ve combined Test cricket with T20 and fused them into a format that gives today’s generation what they crave, which is intensity with meaning. If you look around, there is not a single unifying platform to bring youth cricketers together. Every country has its own system, but you haven’t ever seen kids between 13 and 19 playing together as a part of a single franchise.” Gaurav Bahiravani, the architect of the format, expressed.

Cricket’s fourth format, Test Twenty, to be launched early in 2026

Lloyd, Hayden, de Villiers, and Harbhajan are members of the advisory panel. They felt that it would bring excitement among the youngsters to get into the innovative cricket format and improve their skills in the small form of the longest format.

“What excites me most is the real creative freedom that this format brings to the party. It lets players completely express themselves but also think differently and take the kind of risks that make cricket so beautiful. Beyond that, it also teaches balance. You need to have the ability to survive across two innings.”

The Test Twenty tournament will be held in India, although Bahiravani expressed the wish to take the league overseas in the following seasons. He also confirmed that even though only boys can participate in the first season, girls will be allowed to play from the second edition.

Former South African cricket star AB de Villiers has officially started a new cricket bat business named 360 Bats. He posted on social media, "It's official! So excited to launch my very own bat range—360 Bats. 360 cricket, all around the wicket, all around the world. Coming soon to stores across SA and India." The announcement quickly went viral across the world with cricket fans.

De Villiers, nicknamed “Mr. 360” given his capacity to hit from all angles of the ground, mentioned that the brand represents his style of cricket—fearless, creative, and with a lot of heart. The bats should be available soon in both India and South Africa, where he has played much of his career. India, in particular, remains special for him because of his long stay with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, where he accumulated a very large fan base as one of the most loved overseas players.

The word is out. Reports indicate that the 360 Bats range is crafted to the highest standards of quality utilizing English willow in order to equip players with improved leverage, balance, and greater control on the field while batting. 360 Bats is on a mission to furnish premium-quality cricket equipment for professional suppliers and for youngsters who have a dream to bat like AB de Villiers. The reaction on social media to the news of the launch has already been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting that fans share De Villiers' passion to get youngsters batting like their hero.

The new bat series will be available in India and South Africa, the first official launch of De Villiers’ sports equipment brand. However, there are no further details about the time, prices, or stores. Fans are anxiously waiting for details about the bats' availability and where they will be sold in the near future.

It’s official! 🚨 Excited to launch my very own bat range — 360 Bats 🏏🔥

🔄 𝟯𝟲𝟬 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 🔄

Coming in stores across SA and India💥 #360Bats #PlayThe360Way pic.twitter.com/dWqQRRLsCL

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) October 6, 2025

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From the Crease to the Company

Since retiring from international cricket these days, ABD has taken the passion that he had for cricket on the field into a new venture in the business world. With 360 Bats, AB de Villiers continues to leverage his reputation and connection to the sport that has made him a global sports icon. In fact, the brand is a reflection of De Villiers' journey—from smashing sixes all around the field to being a key component in the tools and equipment that inspire youngsters to play the game.

With the launch of 360 Bats, De Villiers sends a clear message that although he has stepped away from the crease, he still adores and wants to contribute to the game in all the possible ways he can. 360 Bats will want to liberate youngsters to play their game developed through De Villiers' unique physical capabilities and skill set, all the while playing freely to assert themselves all around the world.

Former great of South African cricket AB de Villiers has expressed his regret over the turmoil at the conclusion of India's Asia Cup 2025 win, saying that “politics should never come before cricket.” In his weekly #360 YouTube show, de Villiers discussed the awkward trophy presentation where India would not accept the Asia Cup from the Asian Cricket Council president, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The India vs. Pakistan tournament already had some controversy, as it was the first time the two rivals had met since the Pahalgam terror attacks. On the field, things were tense as Indian players refused to shake hands and Pakistan cricketers verbally sledged and brought up political contexts. After the match the trophy presentation made it even worse. India refused to accept the trophy, resulting in a weird situation where the team celebrated victory without the trophy, which Naqvi has still possesses days later.

AB de Villiers wants cricket to be separated from politics and also gave a nod to India’s showing

De Villiers – an all-time great – was concerned about how off the field disputes affect players. "Team India sort of weren't happy with who was handing out the trophy. As far as I'm concerned, that doesn't belong in sport. Politics should be aside. Sport is sport, and sport should be celebrating for what it is. It was quite sad to witness, but I'm sure they will get through that at some point. But it does place the sport, the players, the sportsmen, the cricketers in a very tough position, which is what I hate to see. It was quite awkward there at the end." 

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But, De Villiers was positive about India's performance. "So, let's get back to what's the most important thing, the cricket itself. India is looking really, really strong. Building up to that big T20 World Cup - don't forget, it's not too far away. And they look like they have a lot of talent, and they have good in the big moments and so fantastic," he continued.

For ABD, the event served as an important reminder of the perils of blending politics with sport - as doing so can detract from players’ accomplishments and taint the celebrations. The message reinforces the idea that cricket should be a pure contest of skill, talent, and sportsmanship, rather than catapulted into political arguments.

The spin all-rounder of the Gujarat Titans (GT), Rahul Tewatia, has made a shocking revelation on the best finisher of the Indian Premier League (IPL) history between the two successful players, MS Dhoni and Ab de Villiers, during a recent interaction. Playing as a finisher for Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans, he admitted the former Indian captain as his inspiration.

MS Dhoni, the fifth-time IPL winning captain, has an average of 34 and a strike rate of 175 from the 16th to the 20th over of his IPL career. Overall, the right-handed batter smacked 5439 runs in 242 innings at an average of 38.30 and a strike rate of 137.45, with the help of 24 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 84 runs.

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“When I was young, I used to play leg-spin and bat together. I used to watch Yuvi paaji [Yuvraj Singh]. He looked like a stylish batsman. When Mahi bhai [MS Dhoni] came, I started watching him a lot. I started understanding the game when I got a chance to talk to him. I used to watch Yuvraj Singh and Mahi bhai a lot.” Tewatia expressed during a recent interaction on CricTracker.

Rahul Tewatia picks best finisher of IPL history between MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers

Tewatia’s finishing skills are well known among IPL lovers. Whether his two sixes against Odean Smith or the five sixes against Sheldon Cotrell of the Punjab Kings, the southpaw has earned success at the number six and seven positions. In 77 IPL innings, the left-handed batter has clubbed 1112 runs at a strike rate of 137.11 with one fifty.

“Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) told me about how to finish matches and how to stay in the present. He told me not to think about the past and not to think about the future. That has helped me a lot.” The Haryana all-rounder leaked Dhoni’s suggestion.

The Ranchi-born is also IPL’s most successful captain with 136 victories in 235 games, besides leading the Yellow Army to a joint-record of five IPL titles. However, there is speculation on whether he would be available to feature in the 2026 edition of the league.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Dewald Brevis is quickly becoming one of the most exciting cricketers in the world. He is nicknamed 'Baby AB' because he can play shots all around the ground, just like former South African star AB de Villiers. This year, Brevis is living up to that reputation.

After struggling with inconsistencies in the first few years of his career, the 22-year-old finally performed well in the last SA20 and IPL seasons. His performances in the leagues have also made him an important part of the South African team in all formats.

This year came full circle when Brevis spoke with his idol, AB de Villiers, on the latter’s YouTube channel. During the conversation, the CSK batter made several interesting statements. Here are the top five most important statements.

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1. Playing with MS Dhoni in CSK

Young players often have a lot to say when they play for CSK with the legendary MS Dhoni. Brevis spoke highly about the former CSK captain in his conversation with AB de Villiers.

"The one thing that stood out for me about MS is his humbleness and the kind of person he is. Off the field, he always has time for players. His room door is always open, only closed when he is sleeping," said Brevis.

He added, "I found myself sitting in his room a few times, chatting about hobbies or watching cricket. It was amazing to see how he is off the field. Everyone knows what he does on the field, but off the field is special too. I really enjoyed my time there."

Brevis was one of the few bright spots for CSK last season, scoring 225 runs at an average of 37.50 with a strike rate of 180 in six matches.

2. Lessons from the IPL

Brevis said playing in the IPL was challenging at first, especially balancing independence and family. He started with Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2022 and played three seasons with them.

"At the start, I was young and wanted to find my feet. I wanted to show I am grown up and can manage things myself," he said.

He added, "Whatever I do off the field, I like to share with my family and close people. Those small things are important, and you should not punish yourself."

Brevis struggled at MI, scoring only 230 runs in 10 matches at an average of 23, with no half-centuries.

3. Becoming 'Baby AB'

Brevis recalled how he got the nickname 'Baby AB'. After his half-century against India in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, a friend held a board with 'Baby AB' written on it. "Since then, I never felt pressure. It was a privilege to be compared to AB de Villiers. I have always idolized him and still learn from him," said Brevis. He finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 506 runs at an average of over 84 in six innings.

4. Love for Chennai

Brevis spoke about his love for Chennai and batting at Chepauk Stadium. He also mentioned Dharamsala as a beautiful place despite not playing there. "Batting at Chepauk Stadium was incredible, especially my second entry. Chennai is a special place for me," he said. Brevis has also been in great form for South Africa, scoring the second-fastest T20I century off 41 balls in August.

5. An Unknown Truth

Brevis shared a personal side about himself. He said he gets emotional watching movies and would have played Rugby if not cricket. "I do get emotional watching movies. If not cricket, I would have played Rugby. I had to choose between the two," he said. Brevis is currently part of the South African squad in the ongoing ODI series in England.

The 22-year-old South African cricketer Dewald Brevis has started his international career impressively with the bat, especially in the T20I format. Before the first ODI in the England tour, Brevis spoke about his popular comparison with legendary Proteas cricketer AB de Villiers. 

It is a big thing when a player has been compared with the legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers. Dewald Brevis has impressed with his quality batting from his early age in the game. Due to his batting style and explosive quality, Brevis has generally been compared with AB de Villiers, as he is known as "Baby AB."

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It was always just an honor for me: Dewald Brevis about his comparison with AB de Villiers

Brevis called the legendary cricketer his role model, but he has never felt any pressure with this honour. The youngster has called his game different, and people will understand it soon.

Before the first ODI against the hosts England at Leeds, Brevis said in a Sky Sports interview, "Whenever I was called AB, it's never been any pressure. We actually spoke about it yesterday. But yeah, it was always just an honor for me and to be compared with him because he's always been my role model. And yeah, I think now to just to play my own game and to just focus on enjoying it, I think as time goes on, people would see the way I play is different and I just want to be original to that."

"He's always been my role model" 🤝

Dewald Brevis on his 'Baby AB' nickname 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/mmybi4Z4RR

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 2, 2025

Dewald Brevis holds the record of highest T20I score by a South African

Brevis made his T20I debut in late August 2023, when they hosted Australia. This year, he made his Test and ODI debuts during the Zimbabwe tour and the Australia tour, respectively. He has played two Tests, three ODIs, and 10 T20Is, where the right-handed batter has scored 84, 56, and 318 runs, respectively. During the recent Australia tour, Brevis recorded his first T20I century and scored the highest T20I runs for South Africa with his match-winning knock of 125 not out. With the help of two back-to-back 50+ scores, Brevis finished the T20I series as the leading run-scorer with 180 runs in three innings with an average of 90.00. 

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star AB de Villiers recently expressed curiosity about Rahul Dravid’s sudden exit from Rajasthan Royals, questioning whether there might have been any discontent between the two parties. His comments drew attention as Dravid’s sudden exit turned into a surprising twist in the IPL.

Rahul Dravid had joined Rajasthan Royals as head coach ahead of the 2025 IPL season on a multi-year agreement. With his immense coaching experience and stature as one of India’s most respected cricketing minds, the move was seen as a major boost for the franchise, raising hopes of long-term progress and stability.

However, Rajasthan Royals announced Dravid’s exit after just one season. The official statement revealed that the franchise had offered him a “broader role” within their structure, but the former Indian coach turned it down. This decision left fans and cricket experts speculating about the real reasons behind his brief stint.

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AB de Villiers Expresses Curiosity About Rahul Dravid’s Sudden Exit:

The first-ever IPL champions had a disappointing campaign this season, managing just four victories from 14 matches and ending ninth on the table. Reflecting on Rahul Dravid’s unexpected exit from Rajasthan Royals, AB de Villiers shared his thoughts on the matter during a discussion on his YouTube channel, sparking curiosity among fans.

ABD said, “ It sounds to me like it was an owner's call, a management kind of call. They gave him an option to have a broader role in the team, which he turned down. Maybe he was upset and he wanted to still be involved in that dugout.”

He further said, “ Maybe it was his call. But Rahul leaves big footsteps behind and big shoes to fill. He is a larger than life kind of character and knows a lot about the game. I personally have spoken to youngsters before, where many speak about him having a huge influence in their careers.” 

He added, “ The coaches and managers in leagues are under pressure to produce results and win trophies. Once they don't, they start hearing from owners. We don't know the facts but given he turned down the other role, maybe he was kicked out, which is never ideal. But maybe Rajasthan have different ideas for the upcoming season. Maybe they want to shake things up a bit and move forward.”

Rahul Dravid led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup win before joining Rajasthan Royals. His move to the IPL franchise came soon after achieving international success, raising expectations for a strong impact in the league.

RR’s 2025 IPL Auction Didn’t Impress Former RCB Player:

AB de Villiers raised questions about Rajasthan Royals’ decisions both before and during the IPL 2025 auction, particularly after the team’s poor outing in the previous season. His remarks highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s planning and strategy. Ahead of the auction, RR retained six key players — Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma, and Shimron Hetmyer. 

However, the franchise surprised many by parting ways with several big names, including Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal. These moves sparked debate among fans and experts about whether the Royals had taken the right approach in reshaping their squad.

He further said, “ I didn't think they had the greatest auction last time. They let go of some incredible players like Jos Buttler and a few others, which I thought was a mistake. Sometimes it's a good thing but not overly aggressive. You can let one or two go but they let a huge bulk of their team go at once. It should be more gradual.”

From 2022 to 2024, Rajasthan Royals enjoyed notable success, with Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal making significant contributions. The team reached the final in 2022, finishing as runners-up, and managed to secure a playoff spot in 2024, showcasing consistency during that cycle.

The former South Africa captain, Ab de Villiers, who featured in 11 seasons at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), shed light on why he loved batting with the former captain of the franchise. With the former Indian captain, Ab has posted five century stands for the 2025 winners and two double century partnerships, becoming the only pair to post two such stands in the world.

During a podcast, Beard Before Wicket, host Nubai Haroon tried to compare the duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while the two former spinners of the England side, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, compared them (Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers) with the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legends, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.

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“Amazing. We played the game in a very similar way. Very busy in the crease. Run hard. Really like to get behind the bowlers are likely to do and find ways to attack. There were two huge partnerships between us, one at the Wankhede and one at the Chinnaswamy. Both times felt really good. Moreover, both players were in the form of their lives. That always helps.” The former Protea and RCB batter expressed in that podcast.

Watch: Ab de Villiers shares his thoughts on batting with Virat Kohli in IPL for RCB

Kohli is currently the leading run-getter of the IPL with 8661 runs in 259 innings at an average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 132.85, thanks to 63 half-centuries and eight centuries at the best score of unbeaten 113 runs.

Q. Virat and you together is like Messi and Ronaldo....What’s it like coming together with Kohli?

Ab de villiers on batting with Virat Kohli: pic.twitter.com/yzs9TdKXEe

— Gaurav (@Melb0urne__82) August 31, 2025

“I always loved batting with him. Very competitive. Looking for the weakness of the bowling attack, and love to take the bowlers down. So, it was nice to be out there with him and have that experience. Loud crowd and absolutely incredible experience with him.” De Villiers reckoned in that video.

Ab de Villiers finished his IPL career for RCB as the eighth highest run-getter of the league with 5162 runs in 170 innings at an average of around 40 and a strike rate of 151.68, with three centuries and 40 fifties at the best score of unbeaten 133 runs.

Former South African skipper AB de Villiers shared his shock over Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s squad for the 2025 Asia Cup. Iyer, known for his consistency in the middle order, has been a dependable option for India in limited-overs cricket, making his absence from the upcoming tournament unexpected for many.

Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the matter while unveiling India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup on Tuesday, August 19. He acknowledged that Iyer was unfortunate to miss out, suggesting that the decision was more about team balance and available options rather than his performance.

The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams, and India’s squad announcement has already sparked discussions among fans and experts. With de Villiers openly voicing his views, the spotlight on Iyer’s exclusion has intensified, raising questions about selection dynamics and India’s batting combinations ahead of the high-stakes continental tournament.

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AB de Villiers Shares His Opinion on Shreyas Iyer’s Absence in Squad:

Shreyas Iyer enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2025 season, amassing 604 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average above 50 and a blazing strike rate of 175.07. Adding to his brilliance, he captained Punjab Kings to the tournament final in his debut season as leader. 

This was a historic achievement for PBKS, as the franchise broke a decade-long drought, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and finishing as runners-up. Just a year earlier, Shreyas Iyer had guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL championship as captain. 

Reflecting on his omission from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, AB de Villiers shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, expressing surprise that a player with such leadership and batting success was overlooked for the tournament.

He said, “ Who knows what is going on behind closed doors. Maybe not even Shreyas knows. There might be a few things that have taken place over the years that's determined why he is not the flavor of the month this tournament. I am not sure what the reason is because he will be in my team more often than not.”

He further said, “ I just read through that squad and I was thinking where Shreyas Iyer can fit in. I've seen fans being upset about his exclusion and Shreyas will be the most upset because he's played some really good cricket over the last few years. He has matured a lot and has shown a lot of leadership qualities.”

AB de Villiers Also Highlights Another Side of This Exclusion:

AB de Villiers suggested that Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad might not be purely based on performance, hinting that other unseen factors could have influenced the selectors’ decision. Despite being a key name in the ODI setup, Iyer has not been a regular feature in T20Is.

The 30-year-old last played a T20I in December 2023. His record in the shortest format is steady but not extraordinary, with 51 appearances yielding an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12. While impressive in parts, these numbers may not have worked in his favor this time.

He further added, “ Thinking about when I was captaining, if there is a 50-50 call between two players, I would always lean towards the guy that offers more from a team perspective off the field. When it's 50-50 on the field, you have to start looking at other areas like 'Does he add value in the team room, does he have a smile on his face, does he uplift some of the other players around him?'. Or is he sort of dragging energy from the squad?”

He concluded, “ Maybe it's got something to do with that. I am just taking a complete guess because it is weird that a quality player like him not making the starting squad for Team India, especially with the leadership qualities he is bringing. Maybe it'll be too much of a clash with him there and maybe there are too many leaders and too many captains. Maybe the truth will come out one day and we'll know why Shreyas is struggling to get into Team India.”

The 2025 Asia Cup is set to kick off in the UAE on September 9. Team India will begin their campaign a day later, facing the host nation in Dubai on September 10. The tournament promises high-intensity cricket as top Asian sides battle for supremacy in the prestigious continental competition.

South African prodigy Dewald Brevis produced a knock for the ages on Tuesday, August 12, lighting up the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin with a breathtaking 41-ball hundred in the second T20I against Australia. At just 22, Brevis became the youngest South African to score a T20I century and the fastest ever against Australia in the format.

Walking in at No.4, Brevis wasted no time announcing his intent. He dispatched Glenn Maxwell for his first six in the seventh over, and later tore into the Aussie all-rounder in the 12th, plundering 23 runs off five balls. Against an attack featuring Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa, Brevis’s range of strokes left the home side helpless as he raced to three figures with eight sixes and nine boundaries. He finished unbeaten on 125 off 56 balls, powering South Africa to 218/7.

His whirlwind effort also made him just the eighth South African man to hit a T20I hundred, joining an elite list that includes David Miller, Quinton de Kock, and Faf du Plessis. Only Miller’s 35-ball blitz against Bangladesh in 2017 has been faster for the Proteas.

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] Aiden Markram pulls Josh Hazlewood for massive six during AUS vs SA 2nd T20I match

CSK’s Auction Gamble Looks Like a Golden Masterstroke After Brevis’s Record-Breaking Hundred

The innings drew instant praise from AB de Villiers, who couldn’t hide both his admiration and his envy over Brevis’s IPL allegiance. “There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky or maybe pulled off the biggest masterstroke ever. The boy can play,” de Villiers posted on X.

There was such a golden opportunity for IPL teams to pick up Dewald Brevis at the auction! Missed out badly. CSK either got very lucky, or maybe the biggest master stroke ever👏 The boy can play @BrevisDewald

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 12, 2025

A Royal Challengers Bangalore legend, de Villiers admitted he would have loved to see Brevis in RCB colours, but believes the youngster could be South Africa’s next “360-degree” batting sensation. Brevis, for his part, called it an honour to be compared to his idol but stressed his determination to create his own identity.

Brevis had already impressed in IPL 2025 with Chennai Super Kings, including a match-winning half-century against Gujarat Titans. Now, with a record-breaking T20I hundred against one of the toughest bowling attacks in the game, he has made it clear that his rise is only beginning. If CSK’s decision to sign him was seen as a gamble at the auction, it’s looking more and more like the kind of move that could define a season – and maybe an era.