In a monumental development for Indian cricket, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) introduced a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Saturday, cricket legend VVS Laxman expressed his admiration for the facility, stating, “I have been to some of the best academies in the world, not only limited to cricket but also in other sports. I have not seen this kind of facility. The beneficiaries will be not only the future generation of cricketers but also the current generation of cricketers.”
The Centre of Excellence, sprawling over 40 acres and encompassing over one lakh square feet, is a realized vision of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who initiated the project 16 months ago. “One person I would definitely want to single out is Jay. I have seen and have been part of various meetings when he came here and interacted with the L&T (builders) team. The kind of timelines and deadlines he imposed, while still empowering them, ensured they adhered strictly to schedules,” said Laxman, emphasizing Shah’s pivotal role in the establishment of the facility.
Central to the Centre of Excellence are its three world-class cricket grounds. Ground A features an 85-yard boundary with 13 meticulously maintained Mumbai red soil pitches and is equipped with advanced floodlights and broadcasting capabilities, making it suitable for night matches. Grounds B and C, each with 75-yard boundaries, serve as dedicated practice grounds. These grounds boast 11 Mandya soil pitches, native to Karnataka, and nine Black Cotton soil pitches from Kalahandi in Odisha.
“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,” remarked Laxman, who has represented India in 134 Tests and 86 ODIs, emphasizing the significance of such a facility for current and future generations of cricketers.
In addition to the impressive grounds, the Centre offers 45 outdoor practice net pitches, organized into nine clusters featuring Mumbai red soil, Mandya soil, Kalahandi black cotton soil, and concrete pitches, all separated by safety nets sourced from the UK. Adjacent to these nets lies a dedicated fielding practice area and six outdoor running tracks with both natural grass and Mondo synthetic surfaces.
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The indoor practice facility at the Centre is equally remarkable, housing eight pitches with premium turf imported from the UK and Australia, along with an 80-meter common run-up area. These advanced features are designed to provide a holistic training environment for cricketers.
Jay Shah, addressing the attendees at the inauguration, emphasized the broader significance of the Centre. “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.”
“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, underlining the BCCI’s dedication to providing world-class facilities for Indian cricketers.
A key feature of the facility is the Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) Block, comprising a 16,000 square-foot gym equipped with the best-in-class equipment. The block includes four athletic tracks and high-quality Mondo rubber flooring. Additionally, it houses a physiotherapy rehab gym, a sports science and medicine lab with cutting-edge technology, a recovery area featuring a jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, underwater pool spa, and a cold shower area. The facility also includes an 80-seater meeting room, coaches’ area, and a 25×12-meter swimming pool. Dedicated audio-visual and projector facilities support training sessions, presentations, and fitness classes.
The unveiling of such a comprehensive Centre of Excellence is not just a milestone for Indian cricket, but a testament to the BCCI’s commitment to providing top-tier facilities and nurturing talent that will propel Indian cricket to greater heights. With this world-class infrastructure, India is set to produce cricketers who are well-equipped to compete at the highest levels, both domestically and internationally. The future of Indian cricket looks brighter than ever with the promise and potential that this new Centre of Excellence holds.