VVS Laxman highlights primary objectives of BCCI behind new NCA campus in Bengaluru

A closed-door event saw the BCCI Centre of Excellence (BCE), a newly-opened campus of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, getting inaugurated by the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, along with other luminaries surrounding the cricketing board.

Former India cricketer, VVS Laxman, the head of the NCA, was positive of the state-of-the-art infrastructure being helpful to the current and future crop of Indian cricketers in enhancing their prowess.

“I think beneficiaries (of the Centre of Excellence) will not only be the future generation of cricketers, but also the current generation of cricketers. They will come to upskill themselves, get ready for the challenges, and various series they are going to participate in,” stated Laxman, as quoted by News18.

Laxman further cleared the pre-conceived notion of the centre being a mere setting which injured players make use of. He also highlighted the motive of the BCCI behind going ahead to construct the facility.

Cricketers coming to the NCA only for rehab is a misconception: Laxman

“There is a misconception that the cricketers come (here) only for rehab. I am sure that all the players who come to this facility will be a part of this programme and will strive to achieve excellence, will strive to become the best they can. In the process, the Indian cricket team in all the formats will probably be the best in the world. That is the whole objective of the BCCI, and all the programs we run at this centre,” mentioned Laxman.

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What we want is the players to know how to adapt to different conditions, says Laxman

He also proceeded to expound on the different tracks having distinct soils present inside the centre for the players to gain experience from, the number of practice pitches, as well as the main motto behind the national cricket board arranging almost everything a budding player could gain experience from at one consolidated location.

“It is a dream come true for all the players, especially for someone like me who has played for the country at the highest level. I think it is a very important moment. We have here three different soils (for pitch preparation) – the red soil from Mumbai, the local soil from Mandya (in Karnataka) and the soil from Orissa (Kalahandi).

“Then the practice wickets, which again has got three different soils there, close to 45 practice wickets, including five cement tracks there. What we want is the players to know how to adapt to different conditions. So, in one place, instead of them travelling from one city to other city, they can have the experience and exposure of playing in different soils and different kind of pitches, which will enhance their performance,” added Laxman.

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At the end, Laxman also shed light on the centre even placing adequate emphasis on player recovery, bearing in mind the hectic itinerary the Indian cricketers have to work along with.