Test vs ODI vs T20: The Key Rule Differences Compared
Each of cricket's three main formats has different rules around overs, fielding restrictions, powerplays, and dismissal types. A side-by-side guide to the key differences that shape each format's character.
Frequently asked questions
Can the same player hold records in all three formats simultaneously?
Yes — records in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is are kept separately, and the same player can hold records in multiple formats. Sachin Tendulkar held the record for most runs in both Tests and ODIs simultaneously for many years. Rohit Sharma has held ODI records while also being a prominent T20 performer. The formats are statistically separate: averages, strike rates, and records are not comparable across formats because the game conditions differ so fundamentally.
Is the Decision Review System (DRS) used in all formats?
DRS is used in international Tests, ODIs, and T20Is at ICC events and most bilateral series, but its availability depends on the host board's technology provision and the ICC's requirements for each series. Some bilateral T20I series (particularly involving lower-tier boards or in venues without Hawk-Eye infrastructure) have played without DRS. Teams get two unsuccessful reviews per innings in Tests and one per innings in ODIs and T20Is.