“I’ve visited some of the best sports academies around the world, not just for cricket, but other sports too. I’ve never seen a facility like this,” said Indian cricket legend VVS Laxman about the newly unveiled Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 28.
“This facility will benefit not just the next generation of cricketers, but the current generation as well.”
The state-of-the-art center, spanning 40 acres and over 100,000 square feet, was spearheaded by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who initiated the project about 16 months ago. With three cricket grounds and 86 pitches, both indoor and outdoor, the facility is one of the finest globally, designed to provide comprehensive training resources.
Laxman credited Shah for his hands-on involvement. “Jay deserves special recognition. I’ve been part of meetings where he pushed timelines with the builders, ensuring that deadlines were met while empowering the team.”
The centerpiece of the facility is its three world-class grounds. Ground A features an 85-yard boundary and 13 Mumbai red soil pitches, complete with advanced floodlights and broadcast capabilities. Grounds B and C, designed for practice, have 75-yard boundaries with a mix of Mandya soil and Black Cotton soil pitches.
Laxman, who played 134 Tests and 86 ODIs, called it a “dream facility” for cricketers. “For someone like me who has played at the highest level, this is truly a dream come true.”
The center offers 45 outdoor net pitches divided into clusters based on different soil types and concrete, with a dedicated fielding area and six outdoor running tracks. Inside, the facility includes eight premium practice pitches with high-quality turfs and an 80-meter run-up area.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah highlighted the importance of the facility in advancing Indian cricket. “The Centre of Excellence is a milestone in our quest to take Indian cricket to new heights. It’s not just a hub for cricket training but also for sports science and athlete development across disciplines.”
The Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) Block within the center includes a 16,000-square-foot gym, four athletic tracks, physiotherapy and rehab facilities, a recovery area with jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, underwater spa pool, cold showers, and a swimming pool.
Additionally, there are spaces for meetings, coaching sessions, and presentations, fully equipped with audiovisual and projector tools.