Transforming Cricket: The Rise of BCCI's Centre of Excellence

The BCCI has transformed 40 acres of unused land into a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, thanks to the vision of former Secretary Jay Shah. As the facility approaches its second anniversary, current Secretary Devajit Saikia highlights the challenges faced, including land regularization and stakeholder alignment. Former cricketer VVS Laxman also played a key role in this transition. The CoE, operational since November 2024, stands as a remarkable achievement in cricket infrastructure, showcasing the dedication and leadership within the BCCI.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 10, 2026, 13:17 IST

A Vision Realized: The BCCI Centre of Excellence

New Delhi, August 10: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has successfully transformed 40 acres of unused land into a cutting-edge Centre of Excellence (CoE), showcasing the dedication and foresight of former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and the organization's leadership.

As the CoE nears its second anniversary, current BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reflected on Shah's crucial contributions in making this ambitious project a reality. He emphasized Shah's ability to unite all stakeholders and drive the project forward with urgency.

“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 We needed to move beyond the outdated, temporary setup of the National Cricket Academy.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 navigate the legal complexities that arose as we initiated this significant project,” Saikia stated, as per a press release.

Saikia pointed out that one of the most significant hurdles was the regularization of the 40-acre land before construction could commence.

“This was a major challenge since the land had been idle for so long, and many were interested in reclaiming it. Everything needed to be resolved before we could begin work on February 14, 2022. Jay worked tirelessly to ensure all obstacles were removed and that everyone involved was focused on achieving our goal,” he added.

The transition from the National Cricket Academy to the new Centre of Excellence also saw the involvement of former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman. Laxman recalled that he relocated to Bengaluru in December 2021 after being approached by Jay Shah and then BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to maintain continuity following Rahul Dravid's appointment as head coach of the Indian team.

Laxman praised Shah's active participation in bringing the CoE vision to life. “In just under two years, the entire infrastructure was established. Jay deserves immense credit for his role as BCCI Secretary. I witnessed firsthand his dedication during our meetings with architects and the L&T team, ensuring every detail of the CoE, previously the NCA, was meticulously addressed,” Laxman remarked.

Now operational since November 2024, the BCCI Centre of Excellence stands as a testament to that vision, evolving from a mere concept into a premier cricketing facility in an impressively short timeframe.