The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the inauguration date of the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. 

NCA has played an important role in the growth of Indian cricket. The National Cricket Academy was founded in 2000 and is located near the international cricket stadium M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. 

NCA not only develops young cricket talents but also plays an important role in rehabilitation of the injured Indian cricketers. 

In February 2022, then BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah announced the building of a new and modern NCA facility. Well, the time has now come for the inauguration of the new NCA facility.  

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The inauguration date is September 28, 2024

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah recently announced the inauguration date of the new NCA facility through an email shared with the state associations. 

Shah stated in that email, "I hope this message finds you well. It is our pleasure to extend an invitation to you for the much-anticipated. inauguration of the New National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, India, on 28th September 2024.”

Through that email, we have learnt the facility details of the new NCA. The new NCA will have three world-class playing grounds. Also, it has 45 practice pitches, indoor cricket pitches, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and state-of-the-art training, recovery, and sports science facilities.   

The email further added, “This initiative will help our nation's current and future cricketers develop their skills in the best possible environment!”

BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been scheduled for the upcoming Sunday (September 29) in Bengaluru. So, the new NCA facility will be inaugurated before the AGM. 

VVS Laxman is likely to not continue NCA director role

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman is the director of NCA. He has been handling this role since 2021 after his former national teammate Rahul Dravid ended his tenure. Laxman’s NCA director tenure will end soon. 

While Laxman is reportedly not interested in continuing the present NCA role, the BCCI will now have to search for the next NCA director. 

Suryakumar Yadav has received medical clearance and is expected to make his return for Mumbai Indians in their upcoming IPL match against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Fitness Clearance

After more than three months of absence from cricket due to injury, Suryakumar Yadav has been given the green light by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The BCCI and NCA took meticulous steps to ensure Yadav’s complete recovery before allowing him to return to the field.

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Yadav suffered a grade II ankle tear during the T20I series in South Africa, initially ruling him out for seven weeks. However, a subsequent injury necessitated a hernia operation, prolonging his absence from the game. The NCA conducted multiple fitness tests to assess Yadav’s readiness to resume playing.

Importance of SKY’s Return for Mumbai Indians

Yadav’s availability will significantly bolster the Mumbai Indians’ batting lineup. As the top-ranked T20I batter according to ICC rankings, his return comes as a major boost for the struggling team.

Mumbai Indians have faced a tough start to their IPL 2024 campaign, suffering three consecutive defeats under the leadership of new skipper Hardik Pandya. Yadav’s return is expected to inject much-needed stability and firepower into the team.

The absence of Yadav has been keenly felt by Mumbai Indians, particularly in the middle order. His ability to anchor innings and accelerate the run rate has been sorely missed, contributing to the team’s struggles in the early stages of the tournament.

Fan Expectations

With Mumbai Indians’ disappointing performances, fans have turned their attention to captain Hardik Pandya, expecting him to lead the team to victory. The return of Yadav will alleviate some of the pressure on Pandya and provide him with additional support in guiding the team.

As the No.1 T20I batter in the ICC rankings, Yadav’s return is eagerly awaited not only by Mumbai Indians’ fans but also by cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His presence is expected to add flair and dynamism to the team’s batting lineup.

The imminent return of Suryakumar Yadav for Mumbai Indians’ next IPL game signifies a significant milestone in his recovery journey. His comeback is poised to breathe new life into the team and rejuvenate their campaign in IPL 2024.

Less than a week left before the start of the Indian Premier League 2024, and every team is preparing in complete oscillation to win the opening clash of the season. However, KKR fans are still determining whether their star skipper, Shreyas Iyer, will play the opening clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata or not.

Reports on Iyer’s Back Injury

Shreyas Iyer‘s fitness status has become a significant talking point in cricketing circles due to reports of a back injury. Recent reports suggest that Shreyas Iyer’s back injury was aggravated during his Ranji Trophy stint with Mumbai, raising concerns about his participation in the upcoming IPL season. While specific sources indicate potential match absences for Iyer, officials from Mumbai and Kolkata Knight Riders have denied any threat to his IPL participation, asserting his fitness for the tournament.

Statements from Mumbai Team Manager and Kolkata Knight Riders

“There is no cause for concern; he is fine and will be going to Kolkata for the pre-IPL camp in two days,” Mumbai team manager Bhushan Patil was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

But KKR fans and staff were seen as having problems when Shreyas Iyer was absent from the field during crucial moments of the Ranji Trophy final, sparking discussions about the severity of his injury. During his innings in the Ranji Trophy final, Iyer displayed signs of discomfort, requiring interventions from the physiotherapist, which has led to further scrutiny of his fitness.

“His injury is not looking good, which has got aggravated. It’s unlikely that he will take the field on Day 5 of the Ranji Trophy final. He is in danger of missing the initial matches of the IPL,” the newspaper reported, citing a source.

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Speculations on Iyer’s IPL Participation

Reports indicate inconclusive scan results regarding Iyer’s back injury, with the exact diagnosis pending clarification from the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Speculations arise regarding Shreyas Iyer’s potential absence from the initial matches of the IPL season, raising questions about the circumstances leading to his participation in the Ranji Trophy.

With just a week left for the IPL opening match, the spotlight intensifies on Iyer’s fitness, especially as Kolkata Knight Riders gear up for their campaign on March 23. The arrival of Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s mentor, adds anticipation and excitement to the upcoming IPL season despite lingering concerns over Iyer’s fitness.

Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batsman for India, has received the green light on his fitness from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in preparation for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. According to reports from Sports Tak, Pant is set to be fully fit for the tournament, representing the Delhi Capitals.

The reports indicate that Pant underwent a practice match at the NCA last week, leading to his clearance. He was subsequently released from the NCA and is currently engaged in IPL photoshoots, with plans to join the Delhi Capitals camp shortly.

In consideration of Pant’s international commitments, Delhi Capitals are prioritizing his well-being and won’t rush his return. Consequently, Pant will focus solely on batting during IPL 2024, with the franchise closely monitoring his fitness throughout the tournament.

Rishabh Pant’s Journey: From Recovery to IPL 2024 Readiness

Despite earlier indications that Pant might resume his wicketkeeping duties, recent reports suggest otherwise. Should Pant only bat, Delhi Capitals will need to field a specialist wicketkeeper in their XI, contrary to previous speculations of using him as an impact player.

The IPL 2024 season holds special significance for Pant as it marks his return to cricket following a tragic accident in December 2022. After undergoing knee surgery and extensive treatment, Pant has diligently worked on his recovery at the NCA, eager to make a strong comeback.

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Sourav Ganguly, Director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals, expressed his delight at Pant’s return, acknowledging the effort Pant has put into his rehabilitation. Ganguly emphasized caution in managing Pant’s workload, highlighting the importance of a long-term approach for the talented player’s career.

“We are thrilled to have Rishabh back in action. He has worked tirelessly to regain fitness, and his clearance from the NCA is a testament to his dedication. However, we will be careful not to rush him back too soon. His well-being is our priority, and we will assess his performance match by match,” Ganguly remarked in an interview with the Times of India.