The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) is approaching its second anniversary, marking a significant transformation from 40 acres of undeveloped land into a modern cricketing facility. This development highlights the efforts of former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in bringing the project to fruition.
Devajit Saikia, current BCCI Secretary, noted Jay Shah’s crucial role in ensuring the project progressed rapidly. Shah reportedly united all stakeholders within the BCCI’s Apex Council, making a firm decision to establish the CoE on a war footing. This initiative aimed to transition from the previous temporary arrangement of the National Cricket Academy to a permanent, state-of-the-art facility.
One of the primary challenges involved regularising the 40-acre land. Saikia explained that this land had been idle, and there were efforts by various parties to reclaim it. Shah’s determined efforts were instrumental in clearing all legal hurdles before construction commenced on February 14, 2022. He personally visited the site multiple times to address regulatory requirements and ensure alignment among all involved parties.
Transition and Operational Milestones
The establishment of the CoE also involved a transition period, with former India cricketer VVS Laxman playing a key role. Laxman relocated to Bengaluru in December 2021 after being approached by Jay Shah and then-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. His involvement was crucial for continuity following Rahul Dravid’s move to become the Indian team’s head coach.
Laxman acknowledged Shah’s hands-on approach, noting his active participation in meetings with architects and the construction team. This direct involvement ensured that every aspect of the CoE’s development was meticulously managed. The BCCI Centre of Excellence became fully operational in November 2024, demonstrating the rapid progress made over approximately two years.
The facility, located in Bande Kodigehalli, features extensive infrastructure. It includes three grounds, designated as Ground A, B, and C, all constructed to ICC regulations for first-class venues. Ground A utilises local block soil from Mandya and is equipped with a commentary box, surveillance room, and floodlights, making it suitable for live domestic cricket matches.
Ground B features red soil transported from Mumbai, while Ground C uses black soil from Kalahandi, Odisha. The black soil from Kalahandi is known for its clay content, which can be up to 70 per cent, contributing to pitches that offer more pace and bounce.
Advanced Training and Recovery Facilities
Beyond the playing fields, the CoE boasts an advanced Indoor Net Facility with eight lanes. Six of these lanes feature special surfaces designed to help the ball grip and skid, simulating various external pitch conditions. Additionally, there is an outdoor net facility with a well-maintained lawn, offering 20 red-soil pitches, 10 local black-soil pitches, and an additional 10 black-soil pitches sourced from Kalahandi.
The facility also caters to broader athletic development, incorporating indoor and outdoor athletics tracks and a swimming pool. A significant component of the CoE is the Sports Science and Medicine Centre, equipped with modern technologies to aid player fitness and injury recovery. One notable feature is the hyperbaric chamber, which assists in the recovery process by allowing oxygen to penetrate congested areas, potentially reducing recovery times from five weeks to three or four weeks in some cases.
The centre also includes world-class Motion Analysis capabilities and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. These comprehensive facilities underscore the vision behind the CoE, which became fully operational in November 2024.
Source: m.rediff.com
