The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the verge of celebrating the second anniversary of its Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. BCCI Secretary
Saikia highlighted Shah's leadership in rallying support from the BCCI's Apex Council, stating, "He took everybody on board in BCCI's Apex Council and made a firm decision that this establishment (CoE) has to be done on a war footing, and we need to move on from the old, temporary arrangement of the National Cricket Academy." This commitment to progress marked a significant shift in the BCCI's approach to cricket training and development.
Transition to a New Era
VVS Laxman, who serves as the Head of Cricket at the CoE, shared his personal journey of relocating from Hyderabad to Bengaluru in 2021. He recounted how Shah and then BCCI President
Despite the challenges of such a significant decision, Laxman felt a strong sense of duty to give back to the sport that had given him so much. "It was a tough decision for me. But as a cricketer, I always thought that it's the responsibility of former cricketers who benefited through this great game to contribute back to the game," he noted, reflecting on his move to Bengaluru in December 2021.
A Vision Realized
Laxman also acknowledged Shah's active involvement throughout the development of the CoE, noting his consistent participation in discussions with architects and the L&T team. "In the span of close to two years, the entire infrastructure was up and running. And huge credit to Jay, because he was the secretary of the BCCI and I myself seen firsthand how much interest he used to take in various meetings we used to have with the architects, with the L&T team," he remarked.
As the CoE approaches its second anniversary, Laxman expressed pride in how the initial vision has been transformed into a tangible reality. "It's great to see that the vision was translated into reality. And I think all leaders have vision. But the vision will only bear fruit when it's translated into reality. And that reality is what we've seen in November 2024," he concluded.
