BCCI leadership credits Shah for Centre of Excellence delivery
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman highlight Jay Shah’s administrative drive in establishing the Bengaluru facility ahead of its second anniversary.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru is approaching its second anniversary, prompting current leadership to reflect on the administrative efforts that brought the facility to fruition. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has publicly credited former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, now the International Cricket Council chairman, for driving the project’s establishment and ensuring its timely completion.
Saikia, speaking to select media at the Centre of Excellence, noted that Shah played a pivotal role in securing consensus within the BCCI’s Apex Council. He described Shah’s approach as decisive, stating that the former secretary made a firm decision to complete the establishment on a "war footing" to move away from the previous temporary arrangements at the National Cricket Academy.
VVS Laxman, who serves as the Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence, provided further context on the leadership transition that preceded the facility's opening. Laxman recalled being approached in 2021 by Shah and then-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who sought to ensure continuity with Rahul Dravid’s appointment as head coach of the Indian national team.
Laxman, who relocated from Hyderabad to Bengaluru in December 2021, described the move as a responsibility for former cricketers to contribute back to the sport. He cited the desire to maintain institutional stability alongside Dravid as a key factor in his decision to accept the role at the new facility.
Regarding the infrastructure development, Laxman highlighted Shah’s hands-on involvement during his tenure as BCCI secretary. He noted that Shah regularly attended meetings with architects and the construction partner L&T to oversee progress, ensuring that every aspect of the Centre of Excellence, formerly referred to as the NCA, was properly managed.
The infrastructure was reportedly fully operational within a span of close to two years. Laxman attributed the successful delivery of the project to Shah’s sustained interest and active participation in the planning and execution phases, marking a significant shift in how the governing body approaches its institutional assets.
