Revolutionary Coach Equity Programme Launched by Test Twenty to Empower Cricket Coaches
Transforming Cricket's Landscape
Dubai [UAE], December 24: In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reshaping the cricketing landscape, Parity Sports, the parent company of Test Twenty, has unveiled a 'Coach Equity Programme' that will allow cricket coaches worldwide to gain real equity stakes, according to a recent announcement.
The Test Twenty format introduces a novel approach to the game, featuring four innings of 20 overs. Launched in the festive spirit of Christmas, this programme signifies a major shift in how cricket acknowledges and rewards those who influence the sport's future.
For the first time, coaches will transition from being mere contributors to becoming stakeholders in the platform they help develop.
This initiative will enable coaches to earn Coach Equity Points (CEPs), a digital reward system that recognizes their significant contributions to the Test Twenty ecosystem. By mentoring young cricketers within a framework built on fairness and transparency, coaches will directly enhance access to genuine opportunities.
Throughout the season, CEPs will accumulate and convert into actual equity in Parity Sports, the intellectual property owner of Test Twenty, at the end of each cycle, effectively making coaches shareholders. This innovative model ensures that those who nurture talent also share in the value they help create.
Madan Lal, a World Cup-winning cricketer and former coach, highlighted the transformative potential of this programme, stating, “The Test Twenty Coach Equity Programme is not just an initiative; it represents a significant shift that positions grassroots coaches at the core of cricket's development. By granting them a stake in the ecosystem, we are not only recognizing their contributions but elevating them.”
Niranjan Shah, a former BCCI Secretary, noted how this initiative aligns with Test Twenty's broader vision for cricket, saying, “Having witnessed cricket's evolution over the years, I believe the Test Twenty format is a visionary advancement and a pivotal chapter in the sport's narrative. It merges the enduring essence of Test cricket with the vibrancy of contemporary play, providing young talent from all backgrounds a genuine platform to excel.”
Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer and prominent commentator, emphasized the historic recognition of grassroots coaching, remarking, “For far too long, grassroots coaches have been the unsung heroes behind every star player. Test Twenty’s initiative finally grants them a stake in the future they help create, marking a revolutionary step for the sport.”
Prominent figures in international cricket have praised this initiative as transformative. Phil Simmons, Head Coach of Bangladesh and former head coach of Afghanistan, Ireland, and West Indies, remarked on the programme's importance for coaching professionals globally, stating, “This is not just another initiative; it’s a significant shift in how we perceive cricket's growth. By including coaches in the equity framework, Test Twenty ensures that those who nurture talent are recognized and empowered. It’s a game-changing vision.”
Gaurav Bahirvani, Founder and CEO of Test Twenty, expressed his thoughts on the announcement, stating, “Before the crowds, before the caps, before the country, there is always a grassroots coach. The one who discovers you early, believes in you when no one else does, shapes your game on empty fields, and then fades from the narrative. Cricketing nations are built by coaches but remembered by players. Yet history has rewarded them with little more than applause. This programme is our way of quietly, respectfully, and permanently rewriting that narrative.”
This initiative signifies a fundamental rethinking of cricket's ecosystem, aiming to be merit-based rather than politically driven, inclusive in opportunity yet selective in impact, straightforward to join yet powerful to develop, and focused on long-term value rather than immediate rewards. This approach will shift recognition from mere visibility to meaningful contribution and from participation to true ownership.
The programme is designed as an invitation rather than an application process, welcoming grassroots coaches worldwide who are shaping the next generation of cricketers. Individual coaching champions, academy coaches, leaders, or personal mentors from global cities, small towns, or remote areas are encouraged to participate. Interested coaches can initiate a conversation by reaching out to coach@testtwenty.com, with no forms or public enrollment required, only dialogue.