In a landmark development for Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled its long-awaited Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Saturday, September 28. Cricket legend VVS Laxman, who has had the opportunity to witness some of the world’s best sports academies, lauded the new facility, describing it as unparalleled. “I have been to some of the best academies in the world, not only limited to cricket, but other sports also. I have not seen this kind of facility,” said Laxman. He further emphasized the importance of this Centre for both current and future generations of cricketers.
Spanning an impressive expanse of 40 acres and over a lakh square feet of built-up area, the Centre of Excellence is the brainchild of Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary. Shah set the project in motion about 16 months ago, with the vision of creating a world-class training ground for Indian cricket. The Centre boasts three grounds and a staggering 86 pitches, designed to offer both indoor and outdoor training facilities, marking it as one of the finest cricket academies globally.
Laxman also highlighted Shah’s dedicated involvement in the project, noting the stringent deadlines and collaborative efforts with builder L&T. “One person I would definitely want to single out is Jay, because I have seen and I have been part of various meetings when he came here, interacted with the L&T team. And the kind of timelines, the kind of deadlines he has put on them, and almost while empowering them, he made sure that all of them followed the timelines,” he stated, underlining Shah’s commitment.
Central to the Centre are the three world-class cricket grounds. The primary ground, Ground A, features an expansive 85-yard boundary and 13 Mumbai red soil pitches. Equipped with advanced floodlights and broadcasting facilities, it stands ready to host and televise matches under lights. Grounds B and C, meanwhile, serve as specialized practice areas. These grounds have 75-yard boundaries and are equipped with 11 Mandya soil pitches and nine Black Cotton soil pitches from Kalahandi, Odisha.
For Laxman, an icon with 134 Test matches and 86 ODIs to his name, the Centre of Excellence is a dream realized.
. “It is a dream come true for all the players. And someone like me who has played for the country at the highest level, I think it is a very important moment,” he declared.
The Centre’s offerings are not limited to just grounds and pitches. It boasts 45 outdoor net pitches grouped into nine clusters, utilizing a variety of soils including Mumbai red soil, Mandya soil, Kalahandi black cotton soil, and even concrete. Safety nets, sourced from the UK, divide these clusters. Additionally, a dedicated fielding practice area and six outdoor running tracks—comprising both natural grass and Mondo synthetic surfaces—complement the training regimen.
A state-of-the-art indoor facility with eight premium turfs from the UK and Australia, and a common 80-meter run-up area, further enhances the Centre’s capabilities. Highlighting BCCI’s commitment to advancing Indian cricket, Shah remarked, “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.”
He further added, “At the BCCI, we believe in creating pathways for excellence, and 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 most notable features of the Centre is the comprehensive Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) Block, which spans 16,000 square feet and is equipped with best-in-class training and rehabilitation machinery. This includes a 16,000 square-foot gym, four athletic tracks, and high-quality Mondo rubber flooring, as well as a physiotherapy rehab gym. To aid in recovery and rehabilitation, the SSM Block offers a variety of facilities such as a jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, underwater pool spa, and cold shower area. The strategic 80-seater meeting room, coaches’ area, 25×12-meter swimming pool, and dedicated audiovisual and projector facilities are designed to support an extensive range of training sessions, presentations, and fitness classes.
In conclusion, the BCCI’s new Centre of Excellence epitomizes the future of Indian cricket, promising world-class training and sports science facilities that aim to propel Indian athletes to greater heights. Through this meticulously planned and well-executed initiative, the BCCI continues its pursuit of excellence, offering a foundation for nurturing cricketing talent and pushing the boundaries of sports science in India.