In a remarkable step to take Indian cricket to new heights, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Saturday, September 28. VVS Laxman, a cricket legend of India, hailed the facility, “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,” he said, underlining the world-class infrastructure and extensive amenities that promise to benefit both current and future generations of cricketers.
Occupying a sprawling area of 40 acres with more than one lakh square feet of constructed space, the centre has been the brainchild of Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary. The ambitious project, which commenced about 16 months ago, stands out as one of the premier cricketing facilities globally. It features a total of three grounds and 86 pitches, encompassing both indoor and outdoor training areas.
Laxman, who has played 134 Tests and 86 ODIs for India, commended Shah’s relentless dedication to the project. “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 (builders) 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,” Laxman remarked.
At the core of the Centre of Excellence are its three world-class cricket grounds. Ground A, the main ground, boasts an 85-yard boundary with 13 meticulously maintained Mumbai red soil pitches. It is equipped with advanced floodlights and broadcasting facilities, making it apt for hosting day-night matches. Grounds B and C, on the other hand, serve as dedicated practice arenas with 75-yard boundaries. These grounds feature a combination of 11 Mandya soil pitches, sourced locally from Karnataka, and nine Black Cotton soil pitches from Kalahandi, Odisha.
“This Centre is a dream come true for all the players. As someone who has played for the country at the highest level, I think it is a very important moment,” Laxman said, describing the facility as a dream facility.
The CoE’s outdoor net pitches, totaling 45, are organized into nine clusters and include a variety of surfaces, such as Mumbai red soil, Mandya soil, Kalahandi black cotton soil, and even concrete pitches.
. Safety nets sourced from the UK ensure secure practice sessions. Adjacent to the nets, a dedicated fielding practice area complements six outdoor running tracks, which have both natural grass and Mondo synthetic surfaces.
The indoor practice facility is equally impressive, featuring eight premium turfs imported from the UK and Australia, and a common 80-meter run-up area for bowlers. This area is designed to facilitate all-weather training, ensuring that players can hone their skills regardless of external conditions.
“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. 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,” Shah stated at the inauguration ceremony.
“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,” Shah added.
The Centre of Excellence is also home to a cutting-edge Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) Block. This 16,000 square-foot gym is equipped with the latest and best-in-class equipment, four athletic tracks, and high-quality Mondo rubber flooring. The block also includes a physiotherapy rehab gym, sports science and medicine lab outfitted with the latest technology, recovery area with jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, underwater pool spa, and a cold shower area. Additionally, an 80-seater meeting room, coaches’ area, and a 25×12-meter swimming pool are also part of the facility. Dedicated audio-visual and projector facilities support training sessions, presentations, and fitness classes.
By unveiling this state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, the BCCI has set a new benchmark in cricketing infrastructure in India and beyond. This world-class facility is not only a significant investment in the game of cricket but also a testament to India’s commitment to becoming a global powerhouse in sports.