The new, modern National Cricket Academy (NCA) campus is expected to be ready by early 2025.
Former India batsman VVS Laxman will continue as the head of the NCA in Bengaluru for at least another year. His initial three-year contract was set to end this September.
VVS Laxman had been approached by an IPL team for a head coach position, but he turned it down to focus on his duties at the NCA. He will likely continue to work with his team of experienced coaches, including Shitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, all of whom have made significant contributions to Indian domestic cricket.
Laxman’s contract extension comes as the new, high-tech NCA campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru nears completion. The foundation for this campus was laid in January 2022, 14 years after the Karnataka government provided the land on a 99-year lease.
The new facility is set to feature over 100 pitches, indoor facilities with 45 pitches, three international-sized grounds, a modern rehabilitation center, lodging facilities, Olympic-sized pools, and many other amenities. The construction is in its final stages, with the campus expected to be fully operational early next year.
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One of VVS Laxman’s main tasks will be to enhance the India A tour program, a project he took over from Rahul Dravid. However, this program has recently faced challenges due to a packed international schedule.
During his first three years at the NCA, Laxman has built on strong foundations for injury management, player rehabilitation, coaching programs, and creating development plans for senior teams, youth, and women’s cricket.
