The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opened the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said that opening the new ‘Centre of Excellence’ is a big step in their effort to improve Indian cricket.
Shah and BCCI president Roger Binny attended the inauguration of the new facility, which will be the main center for training, injury recovery, and sports science in Indian cricket. It will replace the current facility at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Shah said, “The opening of the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is a major moment in our journey to take Indian cricket to the next level. This top-notch facility, with its modern infrastructure, shows our dedication to developing the next generation of cricketers and advancing sports science.”
“This center isn’t just for cricket training but also for helping sports science grow for athletes from all sports,” Shah added during the event.
The facility has three world-class grounds and 86 pitches, both indoors and outdoors. The grounds are designed with white picket fences and green seating areas, similar to English county grounds. It also includes a section focused on Sports Science and Medicine.
Ground A has an 85-yard boundary and 13 well-maintained red soil pitches from Mumbai. It also has advanced floodlights and modern broadcasting equipment, meaning it can host and air matches once it is fully operational.
Grounds B and C are for practice, with 75-yard boundaries and 11 pitches made from Mandya soil and nine black cotton soil pitches from Kalahandi, Odisha. These grounds also have a special drainage system to quickly dry the field after rain, reducing delays and keeping the schedule on track.
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Shah added, “At BCCI, we aim to create opportunities for excellence, and this Centre proves our commitment to building a strong base for future success in sports. With these amazing resources, I am sure this facility will help our athletes compete at the highest levels, both in India and abroad.”
The facility also has 45 outdoor practice pitches grouped into nine clusters, using different types of soil, such as Mumbai red soil, Mandya soil, Kalahandi black cotton soil, and concrete. Each area is separated by safety nets from the UK.
Nearby, there is a fielding practice area and six outdoor running tracks with both natural grass and synthetic surfaces. The indoor practice area includes eight pitches with premium turf from the UK and Australia, along with an 80-meter shared run-up space.
