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Test, ODI, T20 and T10 — four formats, one game, four very different rhythms. Line them up side by side and see exactly how they differ.
Tap a format to show or hide its column. Compare the ones you care about.
| Attribute | Test | ODI | T20 | T10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overs per innings | Unlimited* | 50 | 20 | 10 |
| Balls per innings | No fixed limit | 300 | 120 | 60 |
| Innings per side | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Typical duration | Up to 5 days | ~8 hours | ~3 hours | ~90 minutes |
| Powerplay | New ball every 80 overs | 3 phases (overs 1–10, 11–40, 41–50) | First 6 overs | First 3 overs |
| Typical competitive total | 250–500+ | 250–350 | 160–200 | 100–140 |
| Ball & kit | Red/pink ball, whites | White ball, coloured kit | White ball, coloured kit | White ball, coloured kit |
| Tempo & tactics | Patient, attritional | Build then accelerate | Aggressive throughout | All-out attack from ball one |
| Draw possible? | Yes | No (tie/Super Over) | No (Super Over) | No (Super Over) |
| Flagship events | The Ashes, World Test C'ship | ODI World Cup | T20 World Cup, IPL, BBL | Abu Dhabi T10 |
*Test innings are limited by time (up to 90 overs per day) rather than a set number of overs. Figures are typical guides and can vary by conditions and competition rules.
The longest, purest form of the game. Played over five days across two innings per side, Test cricket rewards patience, technique and stamina. It's the format where reputations are made — and the only one where a hard-fought draw is a genuine result.
Fifty overs a side in a single day. One Day Internationals blend the strategy of the longer game with the urgency of the shorter ones. Managing powerplays, building partnerships and timing the final surge are what separate good sides from great ones.
Twenty overs of high-octane cricket packed into an evening. T20 changed the sport with big hitting, inventive shots and packed stadiums. It's fast, unpredictable and made for prime time — the format that launched leagues around the world.
Ten overs a side, done in around ninety minutes. T10 is cricket at its most explosive — there's simply no time to settle. Every ball is an event, making it the most condensed, adrenaline-fuelled version of the game yet.
There's no wrong answer — each format offers something different. If you love a slow-burning battle of skill and temperament, Test cricket is unmatched. Prefer a full day of ebb and flow with a clear winner? ODIs are your friend. Short on time but big on excitement? T20 and T10 deliver thrills by the minute.
Understanding the differences also makes you a smarter fan. Knowing that a T20 powerplay lasts six overs, or that only Test matches can end in a draw, helps you read the game as it unfolds. Use this comparer as your quick reference whenever a new series starts, and pair it with the 7-Over Challenge to feel the pressure of a short-format chase for yourself.
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