The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially opened its new Centre of Excellence, known as the National Cricket Academy, in Bengaluru. This state-of-the-art facility, envisioned by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, aims to foster the next generation of cricket talent in India.
Covering over 40 acres, the Centre is set to become the hub for both cricket training and sports science development in the country. It features three cricket grounds and 86 pitches, offering both indoor and outdoor training options for players.
The main ground, Ground A, has an 85-yard boundary and 13 well-maintained Mumbai red soil pitches, ready for matches. With top-notch floodlighting and broadcasting systems, it is equipped to host and air matches at night. Grounds B and C are designated for practice, with 75-yard boundaries.
Ground B features 11 pitches made of Mandya soil, while Ground C has 9 pitches using Black Cotton soil from Kalahandi, Odisha.
BCCI Unveils State-of-the-Art Centre of Excellence
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has inaugurated the new National Cricket Academy (NCA), now known as the BCCI Centre of Excellence, in Bengaluru. This advanced facility, driven by the vision of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, is designed to nurture upcoming cricket talent and advance sports science in India.
Spanning 40 acres, the Centre offers three cricket grounds and 86 pitches, providing both indoor and outdoor training options. The main ground, Ground A, boasts an 85-yard boundary with 13 well-maintained Mumbai red soil pitches, ready for matches.
With modern floodlights and broadcasting systems, Ground A is equipped to host nighttime matches. Grounds B and C serve as practice areas with 75-yard boundaries, featuring 11 Mandya soil pitches and 9 Black Cotton soil pitches from Kalahandi, Odisha.
The facility includes a high-tech subsurface drainage system to quickly restore play after rain, ensuring minimal interruptions. The grounds are framed by white picket fences and green seating areas, creating a classic English county ground ambiance.
Beyond cricket, the Centre is committed to enhancing sports science. It houses a cutting-edge Sports Science & Medicine centre, open to elite Indian athletes, furthering India’s sports development across various disciplines.
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Inside the BCCI Centre of Excellence
The following are more details about BCCI State-of-the-Art Centre of Excellence:
Net Pitches and World-Class Indoor Practice Facility
The Centre of Excellence houses 45 outdoor net pitches, organized into nine clusters, made from a variety of surfaces including Mumbai red soil, Mandya soil, Kalahandi black cotton soil, and concrete. These pitches are protected by high-quality nets sourced from the UK.
Adjacent to the nets is a designated fielding practice area, along with six outdoor running tracks made from natural grass and Mondo synthetic material.
Inside the Centre, a cutting-edge practice facility offers eight indoor pitches made from premium turf sourced from the UK and Australia. An 80-meter common run-up area provides ample space for bowlers, while large reinforced glass panels let in natural light, creating an inviting training atmosphere.
Equipped with integrated cameras, the facility allows for detailed play analysis, enabling athletes to train under any weather conditions.
Spacious Dressing Rooms and Press Conference Area
The South Pavilion, a 45,000-square-foot, two-story building, includes one of the largest dressing rooms in the region, measuring nearly 3,000 square feet. The dressing room is furnished with a jacuzzi, lounge, massage room, kit room, and restrooms, offering maximum comfort for players. Additionally, the pavilion will feature a Hall of Fame, showcasing India’s rich cricketing legacy.
The pavilion also includes cutting-edge commentator and match referee rooms, outfitted with advanced broadcasting equipment, a spacious press conference area, and a VIP lounge and dining space. The nearby Dining and Dormitory block, spanning 15,000 square feet, provides accommodations for staff and includes male and female dormitories, with room for future expansion.
Sports Science & Medicine Block with Advanced Technology
Spanning 16,000 square feet, the Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) Block offers high-quality gym equipment, four athletic tracks, and premium Mondo rubber flooring. It also includes a physiotherapy rehab gym, a state-of-the-art sports science lab, and recovery facilities featuring a jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, underwater pool spa, and cold showers.
The block is designed to support all aspects of athlete recovery and performance improvement. It also includes an 80-seater meeting room, a dedicated coaches’ area, and a 25×12-meter swimming pool. For enhanced training and analysis, the block is equipped with audio-visual technology and projectors, perfect for presentations and fitness classes.
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FAQs
Q.1. What is the BCCI Centre of Excellence?
Ans. The BCCI Centre of Excellence, located in Bengaluru, is a state-of-the-art facility designed to train cricket talent and advance sports science in India.
Q.2. What facilities does the Centre of Excellence offer for cricket training?
Ans. The Centre features three cricket grounds, 86 pitches, 45 outdoor nets, and eight indoor pitches, along with cutting-edge floodlighting and broadcasting systems for match hosting.
Q.3. How does the BCCI Centre support athlete recovery and sports science?
Ans. The Sports Science & Medicine Block includes a physiotherapy gym, recovery areas with jacuzzis, saunas, steam baths, and an underwater pool spa, plus advanced sports science labs.
Q.4. Who can use the BCCI Centre of Excellence?
Ans. The Centre primarily serves cricket athletes but is also open to top Indian Olympians and athletes across various sports disciplines for sports science and recovery support.
Q.5. What makes Ground A special at the BCCI Centre of Excellence?
Ans. Ground A has an 85-yard boundary with 13 Mumbai red soil pitches, floodlights, and broadcasting systems, making it ideal for hosting and airing matches at night.
