The hub of India Cricket: National Cricket Academy

The reason for the Indian Cricket Team’s success at the highest level is the systematic mechanism that has been consciously inculcated in the country. BCCI, the national authority that monitors cricket in our country, ensures that the right environment is fostered for the growth of the sport. For this purpose only, National Cricket Academy was established in 2000, by Raj Singh Dungarpur, then president of BCCI. 

This facility located in M.Chinnaswamy Stadium trains the top cricketers from the country. It was made with the purpose to cover each and every aspect of cricket under one roof, like, skill training, rehabilitation, fitness etc. The academy even collaborated with MRF Pace Foundation to train fast bowlers. Current director, VVS Laxman, now handles all the functions at the venue. 

Following are all the facilities that are included National Cricket Academy: 

• Mentorship by leaders: Players and expert coaches from the world share their insights of the game. That helps the players in following the right process and thus rectifying their own mistakes. Mentorship varies from skill development to workload management. 
• State of Art Facilities: The facilities provide facilities like indoor pitches, outdoor pitches, gyms etc. ensuring no hindrance in preparations. 
• Advanced training programs: Advanced training programs include mental conditioning classes, fitness training programs etc.
• Use of modern technology: Modern technology like video analysis, data mechanics, biomechanics etc. are used. 
• Holistic development approach: All round development of athletes is ensured through diet plans, workshops, mental fitness etc.
• Competitive match practice: With best grounds within the sporting vicinity, competitive match practice with video analysis is provided. The inputs are then shared with the cricketers, to make them aware of their own game. 
• Career pathway support: Regular assessment and feedback is provided. This helps players in bringing their A game forward. 

How to get selected?

Performances in domestic matches are counted and budding talent is picked from those matches. Based on one’s performance in tournaments conducted by BCCI, players are shortlisted and sent to the academy for a one month camp. The idea of organising such camps is to induce right knowledge and technique on players who have the potential to represent the country in the future. 

However, players can also get them registered for the camps which are often organised by NCA. These camps have a fixed registration fees and it can help them in training under expert guidance. Apart from that, Indian Team’s players, like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah etc. also visit the centre to prepare for their upcoming matches or to simply get treated by the best physiotherapists in the country.

Earlier, the NCA used to award scholarships to three promising players to visit Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane as well. 

Centre of Excellence 

In February 2022, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah announced the construction of a new NCA facility near the Bangalore airport. This will include three cricket grounds, a gymnasium, 40 practice pitches, a swimming pool and rooms for players, spanning over 40 acres.

The Centre of Excellence will help in growth of the sports as it is developed with the intention to boost the talent of young cricketers through the lengths and breadths of the country.