September 28 witnessed a historic moment for Indian cricket as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled its newest and most ambitious project to date – the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The grand inauguration was attended by cricket luminaries and dignitaries from the sports fraternity, with resounding praise coming from cricket legend VVS Laxman, who expressed awe at the breadth and sophistication of the facility.
“I have been to some of the best academies in the world, not only limited to cricket but other sports as well. I have not seen this kind of facility,” Laxman extolled, emphasizing the unparalleled quality of the Centre. “This Centre of Excellence will benefit not only the future generations of cricketers but also the current ones,” he added.
The Centre, sprawling over a vast 40 acres and encompassing an area of over one lakh square feet, is a testament to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah’s vision and dedication. Over the past 16 months, Shah has spearheaded the development of the Centre, ensuring it stands as a leading facility globally. With three professional-grade grounds and 86 pitches, both indoor and outdoor, the Centre is designed to offer comprehensive training options, pushing the boundaries of cricket excellence.
“One person I would definitely want to single out is Jay Shah, because I have seen and been part of various meetings when he came here, interacted with the L&T (builders) team. And the kind of timelines and deadlines he imposed, while empowering the team to adhere to them, have been instrumental,” Laxman said, highlighting Shah’s hands-on approach to the project.
At the core of the Centre are its three world-class cricket grounds. The primary ground, known as Ground A, stands out with an 85-yard boundary and 13 high-quality Mumbai red soil pitches, meticulously maintained and ready for play. The ground is equipped with advanced floodlights and broadcasting equipment, making it capable of hosting and telecasting matches under lights. Meanwhile, Grounds B and C serve as specialized practice grounds with 75-yard boundaries, featuring pitches made from locally sourced Mandya soil and Black Cotton soil from Kalahandi, Odisha.
For Laxman, who boasts an illustrious career with 134 Test appearances and 86 ODIs, the facilities represent a dream come true. He remarked on the significance of such an advanced facility for Indian cricket. “It is a dream come true for all players. As someone who has played at the highest level, it’s a very important moment.
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Beyond the three primary grounds, the Centre hosts an array of practice facilities. This includes 45 outdoor net pitches distributed in nine clusters, with soils from Mumbai, Mandya, Kalahandi, and paved concrete surfaces, all separated by safety nets sourced from the UK. Adjacent to these nets, there is a dedicated fielding practice area and six outdoor running tracks boasting both natural grass and Mondo synthetic surfaces for versatile training.
Inside, the Centre features a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility, complete with eight pitches laid with premium turfs from the UK and Australia, accompanied by an 80-meter common run-up area.
“The inauguration of the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru marks a significant milestone in our journey to elevate Indian cricket to new heights. This world-class facility, built with cutting-edge infrastructure, reflects our unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of cricketers and advancing sports science,” Jay Shah articulated. He further stated, “It is not only a hub for comprehensive training and performance development in cricket but also a facility that will contribute to the growth of sports science for athletes across disciplines.”
Elaborating on the BCCI’s vision, Shah added, “At the BCCI, we believe in creating pathways for excellence. This Centre is a testament to our vision of building a strong foundation for future sporting success. With these exceptional resources at our disposal, I am confident that this facility will empower our athletes to compete at the highest level, both domestically and internationally.”
One of the crowning jewels of the Centre is the Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) Block. Enveloped in 16,000 square feet of advanced training space, it includes a state-of-the-art gym with top-tier equipment, four athletic tracks, and ultra-modern Mondo rubber flooring. The SSM Block also includes a physiotherapy rehab gym, sports science and medicine lab equipped with the latest technology, and a recovery area featuring jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, underwater pool spa, and cold shower facilities. An 80-seater meeting room, coaches’ area, and a 25×12-meter swimming pool further enhance the facility. Dedicated audio-visual and projector setups support training sessions, presentations, and fitness classes.
With such an unparalleled infrastructure in place, the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is set to be a cornerstone in the future of Indian cricket, pushing the boundaries of training and performance standards to unprecedented levels. This facility embodies the BCCI’s commitment to fostering sporting excellence and advancing the prowess of Indian cricket on the global stage.