T20, ODI and Test cricket compared
T20 gives each side 20 overs and lasts about three hours. A One Day International (ODI) gives each side 50 overs and lasts a full day. A Test match is played over up to five days, with two innings per team and no over limit.
Quick comparison
T20: 20 overs per side, one innings each, about 3 hours. ODI: 50 overs per side, one innings each, about 7 to 8 hours. Test: unlimited overs, two innings each, up to 5 days, 90 overs a day scheduled.
How strategy differs
T20 rewards risk from ball one, with a powerplay for the first six overs. ODIs balance a steady build with a late acceleration. Tests reward patience and endurance, since a team must take 20 wickets to win.
How a result is decided
In T20 and ODI the side with more runs wins, with DLS applied if rain interferes. In a Test, a team wins by taking all 20 opposition wickets while staying ahead on runs. If time runs out first, the match is drawn.
Frequently asked questions
How many overs is a T20 match?
Twenty overs per side.
How many overs is an ODI?
Fifty overs per side.
How long does a Test match last?
Up to five days, with a scheduled 90 overs per day.
Can a Test match be drawn?
Yes. If the fifth day ends before a result, the match is drawn. A tie is a rarer outcome where scores finish level with all wickets taken.