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The BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is getting ready to celebrate its second anniversary, but its story actually started with a 40-acre piece of land that had been unused for years. The aim was to create a proper home for the development of Indian cricket.<\/p>\n
The project came about when the BCCI decided to move away from the temporary facilities of the National Cricket Academy. Former BCCI secretary Jay Shah played a crucial role in driving this project forward.<\/p>\n
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia shared how Shah managed to unite the board’s top officials and emphasized the need to finish the project promptly. \u201cJay gathered everyone from the BCCI’s Apex Council and insisted that we complete this establishment quickly. We needed to move beyond the old temporary arrangements,\u201d Saikia said during a media interaction at the CoE.<\/p>\n
The first major obstacle was not building the facility itself, but getting the land ready. Many legal and regulatory challenges had to be overcome because the land had been dormant for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cJay personally visited several times to help clear the legal issues so we could get started. There were many regulations we had to follow to start the project, and the land needed to be regularized,\u201d Saikia explained.<\/p>\n
Regularizing the land turned out to be the toughest challenge. \u201cThat was the biggest issue because it was a 40-acre area that many wanted to claim. We had to resolve everything before work could begin on February 14, 2022,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The project also required a smooth transition from the old NCA setup, with the assistance of former India captain Roger Binny and VVS Laxman. “The transition was not easy. Roger Binny was involved, and we sought VVS Laxman’s help during this period,\u201d Saikia noted.<\/p>\n
In 2021, Laxman was approached by Shah and then-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to move to Bengaluru after Rahul Dravid was appointed head coach of the Indian team. \u201cWhen they reached out, it was a difficult choice. But as a cricketer, I believed it was my duty to give back to the sport that had given me so much. So, I made the move in December 2021,\u201d Laxman explained.<\/p>\n
Laxman saw up close how much effort was put into making the facility a reality. He praised Shah for his commitment and noted the many meetings with architects and the construction team. \u201cIn less than two years, we built the entire infrastructure. Jay was deeply involved in all our discussions to ensure every detail of the CoE was attended to,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
For Laxman, the Centre of Excellence represents a successful vision coming to life. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to see how this vision was turned into reality. Leaders often have great ideas but turning them into reality is the real achievement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Opened in 2024, the Centre of Excellence marks a significant shift from the previous NCA format. What started as a neglected piece of land faced many hurdles but ultimately became a vital facility for Indian cricket.<\/p>\n
According to Saikia, the project\u2019s success came from the determination to move forward despite challenges with the land. For Laxman, it was a testament to the persistent efforts from BCCI leadership and all those involved who were committed to making this dream come true.<\/p>\n
Today, the once empty 40 acres now proudly hosts the BCCI Centre of Excellence, a project that blossomed into reality in less than two years after work kicked off in February 2022.
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