BCCI's Centre of Excellence: A Vision Realized Under Jay Shah's Leadership

The BCCI's Centre of Excellence has transformed from 40 acres of idle land into a state-of-the-art cricket facility, thanks to the leadership of Jay Shah. As the project nears its second anniversary, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia highlights Shah's pivotal role in overcoming challenges and uniting stakeholders. Former cricketer VVS Laxman also played a significant part in the transition from the National Cricket Academy. The facility, operational since November 2024, exemplifies a remarkable achievement in cricket infrastructure.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 10, 2026, 13:54 IST

Transforming Idle Land into a Premier Cricket Facility

The transformation of 40 acres of unused land into a cutting-edge Centre of Excellence (CoE) for cricket showcases the vision and relentless efforts of former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and the organization's leadership.

Jay Shah's Key Contributions

As the CoE nears its second anniversary, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reflected on Shah's crucial role in actualizing this ambitious project. He emphasized Shah's ability to unite all stakeholders and drive the project forward with urgency. Saikia stated, "He ensured that everyone in the BCCI's Apex Council was on board and made a decisive commitment to expedite the establishment of the Centre of Excellence. We needed to move beyond the outdated, temporary setup of the National Cricket Academy. Jay personally visited multiple times to resolve legal issues and ensure compliance with regulations before construction could commence."

Navigating Obstacles

Saikia pointed out that one of the most significant challenges was regularizing the 40-acre land before construction could start. He noted, "This land had been idle for a long time, and many were interested in reclaiming it. Therefore, all necessary clearances had to be obtained before work began on February 14, 2022. Jay worked tirelessly to eliminate all obstacles and align everyone involved in the project towards achieving our goal."

VVS Laxman's Role and Acknowledgment

The transition from the National Cricket Academy to the new Centre of Excellence also saw significant involvement from former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman. Laxman shared that he relocated to Bengaluru in December 2021 after being approached by Jay Shah and then BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to ensure a smooth transition following Rahul Dravid's appointment as head coach of the Indian team. He praised Shah's active participation in bringing the CoE vision to life, stating, "In nearly two years, the entire infrastructure was established. Jay deserves immense credit for his dedication as BCCI Secretary; I witnessed his keen interest during our meetings with architects and the L&T team to ensure every detail of the CoE, previously the NCA, was addressed."

A World-Class Facility Realized

The BCCI Centre of Excellence, which commenced operations in November 2024, stands as a testament to the realization of this vision, evolving from a mere concept into a premier cricketing facility in a remarkably short time.