Jay Shah teases fans with first look of state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has officially confirmed that the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru is on the brink of completion and will be inaugurated shortly. This highly anticipated facility promises to be a game-changer for Indian cricket, providing world-class infrastructure to nurture the next generation of cricketers.

Taking to social media, Shah highlighted some of the key features of the new NCA, which include 45 practice pitches, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and three top-tier playing grounds. State-of-the-art indoor cricket pitches, advanced training equipment, and cutting-edge sports science and recovery centres complement these facilities. 

Here are some glimpses:

Very excited to announce that the @BCCI’s new National Cricket Academy (NCA) is almost complete and will be opening shortly in Bengaluru. The new NCA will feature three world-class playing grounds, 45 practice pitches, indoor cricket pitches, Olympic-size swimming pool and… pic.twitter.com/rHQPHxF6Y4

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) August 3, 2024

“Very excited to announce that the @BCCI’s new National Cricket Academy (NCA) is almost complete and will open shortly in Bengaluru. The new NCA will feature three world-class playing grounds, 45 practice pitches, indoor cricket pitches, an Olympic-size swimming pool, state-of-the-art training, recovery, and sports science facilities,” Shah wrote.

What is the role of NCA?

The National Cricket Academy has long been the cornerstone of Indian cricket’s development pipeline. It has played a crucial role in rehabilitating top players such as Jasprit Bumrah, who recovered from a back injury, and Rishabh Pant, who underwent treatment following a car accident. The NCA has also been the hub for training camps for the Indian cricket team before major international tours, underscoring its importance in the preparation of the national side.

The academy's leadership could soon witness a significant change. Reports suggest that VVS Laxman, who has been at the helm of the NCA, might be stepping down, with former India batting coach Vikram Rathour likely to take over. Laxman has been instrumental in guiding India's second-string teams, particularly during interim coaching stints when Rahul Dravid was engaged with the senior squad.

As the new NCA nears its launch, it symbolizes a major step forward in the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) commitment to elevating the standards of cricket in the country. The upgraded facilities are expected to serve as a breeding ground for the next generation of Indian cricket stars, ensuring that the country's rich cricketing tradition continues to thrive.