The Centre was inaugurated on 28th September. © BCCI
BCCI Inaugurates Advanced National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially inaugurated its new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru on Sunday, now rebranded as the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). The upgraded facility spans over 40 acres near Kempegowda International Airport and is designed to be a world-class training ground for cricketers with state-of-the-art infrastructure.
This expansive CoE replaces the previous facility, which was situated at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium since its establishment in 2000. The newly developed grounds offer comprehensive training capabilities with a total of three world-class grounds and 86 pitches, including both indoor and outdoor surfaces. These grounds are set amidst white picket fencing and lush green seating mounds, providing a distinct feel similar to English county grounds.
State-of-the-Art Grounds and Training Facilities
Ground A serves as the main arena, featuring an 85-yard boundary and 13 meticulously maintained Mumbai red soil pitches. It is equipped with advanced floodlighting and state-of-the-art broadcasting facilities, allowing for matches to be hosted and telecast under lights.
Grounds B and C, designated as practice grounds, include 75-yard boundaries with 11 Mandya soil pitches and nine black cotton soil pitches from Kalahandi, Odisha. The grounds are equipped with an innovative subsurface drainage system to ensure quick recovery post-rainfall, maintaining consistent training schedules.
The facility also boasts 45 outdoor net pitches arranged in nine clusters, featuring a mix of Mumbai red soil, Mandya soil, Kalahandi black cotton soil, and concrete surfaces for versatile practice sessions. The nets are separated by safety barriers sourced from the UK, and a dedicated fielding practice area and six outdoor running tracks with natural grass and Mondo synthetic surfaces are adjacent to the nets.
World-Class Indoor and Sports Science Facilities
The indoor practice area features eight premium turf pitches from the UK and Australia, complete with an 80-meter common run-up area. The facility also includes large glass panels for ample natural light, enhancing the training environment.
A cutting-edge Sports Science & Medicine (SSM) Block, spanning 16,000 square feet, houses a physiotherapy rehab gym, sports science and medicine lab with the latest technology, and a recovery area featuring a jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, underwater pool spa, and cold shower area. The SSM Block will also be accessible to leading Indian Olympians, contributing to the broader sports ecosystem in the country.
The facility includes one of the largest dressing rooms at nearly 3,000 square feet, complete with a jacuzzi, lounge, massage room, kit room, and restrooms. An 80-seater meeting room, a coaches’ area, and a 25×12-meter swimming pool are also available for athletes’ use.
The NCA’s South Pavilion, a G 2 structure spanning 45,000 square feet, is equipped with audio-visual facilities, commentator and match referee rooms, press conference areas, and a VIP lounge and dining area.
Additional Amenities and Future Plans
The Dining and Dormitory Block, a G 1 building with a 15,000 square-foot area, offers food and lodging facilities for staff, with separate male and female dormitories and provision for future expansion.
The BCCI Centre of Excellence is poised to become a pivotal part of India’s cricketing ecosystem, providing top-tier facilities for players and support staff, and is set to contribute significantly to the growth and development of Indian cricket.
