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Next gen gets its stats together as Test Twenty teams with Cricheroes
MUMBAI: Cricket’s next big experiment isn’t knocking on the door, it’s kicking it open with a brand-new scoreboard. Test Twenty, the format aiming to become the sport’s “Fourth Format”, has teamed up with Cricheroes as the Official Stats Partner for the Junior Test Twenty Championship (JTTC), set for a global debut in 2026.
Think Test-match brain meets T20 adrenaline, Test Twenty blends 80 overs, four innings, and one same-day showdown. Created by sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani and backed by cricket royalty AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, Sir Clive Lloyd, and Harbhajan Singh, the format wants to redefine how young talent is tested, showcased, and discovered.
And there’s plenty of talent to uncover. With 25 million young cricketers entering India’s grassroots ecosystem every year, the JTTC claims the largest youth cricket base on the planet. The 2026 championship will feature six elite franchises three from India and three from global markets competing in a pathway modelled on the NCAA, designed for players aged 13 to 19.
But the real power play lies in the numbers. As the Official Stats Partner, Cricheroes will drive every layer of performance tracking across trials, regional and global combines, and tournament fixtures. Live scoring, digitised player profiles, centralised dashboards, and long-term analytical histories will form a unified data spine arguably the most sophisticated youth cricket analytics ecosystem ever assembled.
For Bahirvani, this partnership is the missing link in cricket’s modern talent pipeline. “Data is the backbone of talent discovery. CricHeroes has transformed grassroots cricket by giving every player a performance identity. Their integration makes JTTC the world’s most transparent, merit-driven pathway for youth cricketers,” he said.
Cricheroes founder Abhishek Desai echoed that sentiment, calling the championship a natural extension of their mission. “The Junior Test Twenty Championship aligns perfectly with our goal to elevate grassroots cricket globally. We’ll bring world-class analytics to young players on an unprecedented scale, redefining how talent is discovered and nurtured.”
With this alliance, cricket’s future doesn’t just look fast or fierce, it looks measured, mapped, and meticulously scored. And for the next generation dreaming of the big stage, every run, spell, and split second counts like never before.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
