Cricket is not just a sport in India; it’s a religion that unites millions of fans and aspirants alike. With a rich history of producing cricketing legends, the country boasts a plethora of cricket academies dedicated to nurturing young talent. In this article, we delve into the best cricket academies in India, where dreams are shaped, and future stars are born.
In India, the top 6 cricket academies play a crucial role in the growth and development of cricket and other sports among students. Active participation in sports contributes significantly to the mental and physical well-being of students. To ensure this development, a cricket or sports academy helps you become a better athlete.
Here’s a list of the top 6 cricket academies in India:
1. Karnataka Cricket Academy
The Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC) was established in 1996, inaugurated by former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin. It is considered one of the best cricket academies in Bangalore and the country. KIOC operates year-round, offering five sessions in a day.
Key Features of Karnataka Cricket Academy:
- The academy boasts 20 cricket nets, including cement pitches, turf pitches, artificial turf pitches, and clay pitches.
- It provides six bowling machines, speed check radar, video analysis, and sports analysis software.
- For training during evenings, it offers floodlights, hostel facilities for national and international students, and a dedicated canteen open 15 hours a day.
- The academy continually upgrades its infrastructure and equipment to provide the best coaching experience.
- KIOC organizes tournaments at various levels and age groups to prepare its students for national and international competitions. It also promotes women’s cricket in Karnataka.
Following are the details of the Karnataka Institute of Cricket:
Director | Irfan Sait |
Head Coach | Irfan Sair |
Timings | Open all days |
Fee | Weekend course – INR 17,000 per annum for 2.5 hours |
Full week course – INR 28,000 per annum for 2 hours | |
Full week course (2 sessions) – INR 45,00 per annum for 2 hours | |
Full-day training program – INR 65,000 per annum | |
Notable Alumni | Manish Pandey, Robin Uthappa, Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer |
2. Madan Lal Cricket Academy
Madan Lal Cricket Academy named after the renowned Indian Test cricketer Madan Lal, this academy in New Delhi accepts only highly skilled players. Its goal is to develop young talents into world-class cricketers.
Key Features of Madan Lal Cricket Academy:
- Each batch at the academy consists of only 20 students, with a total of 60 students divided primarily by age.
- The academy offers one-on-one coaching with former Indian cricketer Madan Lal.
- It has two main coaches, Blake Moore and Andrew Dawson, both recognized as top coaches at the junior international level.
- The academy provides four turf wickets, three cement wickets, two bowling machines, and all necessary equipment for players’ development.
- During school holidays, the academy conducts matches, corporate games, summer camps, and tournaments with other institutions.
Following are the details of Madan Lal Cricket Academy:
Director | Madan Lal |
Head Coach | Andrew Dawson and Blake Moore |
Timings | Thursday – Saturday from 3 pm – 6.30 pm |
Sunday from 8 am – 11 am | |
Fee | INR 25,00 per month |
Contact Info | 91-9315 215 866 |
3. National Cricket Academy Bangalore
National Cricket Academy, Bangalore Located at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) was established in 2000 as a training facility by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and is known to have even hosted practice sessions for the national team.
Key Features of National Cricket Academy Bangalore:
- The NCA facilities are often used by national and state-level players for recovery and training after injuries or loss of form.
- The academy employs cricket specialists and former players to refine students into impeccable cricketers, accepting only those with the potential to excel.
- It regularly organizes seminars, lectures, time management sessions, stress management workshops, and career guidance sessions for the overall development of students.
- Rahul Dravid is closely associated with the NCA and has contributed significantly to its growth.
- The NCA offers accommodation facilities for students and other players.
Following are the details of National Cricket Academy Bangalore:
Director | Anil Kumble |
Head Coach | Dr. Kinjal Suratwala |
Timings | Monday – Sunday; 9.30 am – 5.30 pm |
Fee | Not Specified |
Contact Info | 080-857 45123 |
Notable Alumni | Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri, Kapil Dev, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa |
4. Sehwag Cricket Academy
The Sehwag Cricket Academy is named after a former cricketer and is located in the Jhajjar district of Haryana, India. It was established in 2011 by Virender Sehwag, with the aim of providing the best education and training to his students. The foundation is remarkable, as it provides all the necessary equipment and facilities to its students. The academy has installed floodlights that allow students and teams to continue training even after sunset. It is globally renowned in India.
Key features of Sehwag Cricket Academy:
- Collaboration with a software agency to provide video analysis of students’ performances.
- The academy has four training groups primarily based on the age of the students.
- Training sessions are held regularly throughout the week, including weekends and after-school programs.
- The fees for Sehwag Cricket Academy are competitive.
- Students have the opportunity to train with Sehwag himself and other national and international athletes.
- The academy offers interactive sessions with sports experts, allowing students to benefit from the experience and knowledge of retired athletes.
- Parents are regularly updated on their children’s progress.
- The academy organizes local tournaments and matches, including a summer camp that runs for ten days in May. Students participating in this camp are provided with accommodation within the academy.
Following are the details of Sehwag Cricket Academy:
Director | Virendra Sehwag |
Head Coach | Virendra Sehwag |
Timings | Monday – Sunday; 9.30 am – 5.30 pm |
Fee | Quarterly Fee – INR 13000 |
Half Yearly Fee – INR 20000 | |
Yearly Fee – INR 32000 | |
Contact Info | 91-9873633893 |
5. VB Cricket Academy
The VB Cricket Academy is named after the famous cricketer VB Chandrasekhar and was founded in 1997. The academy’s inauguration was done by Mr. Bobby Simpson, a former Australian cricketer and coach. The academy provides training in various age-based groups.
Key features of VB Cricket Academy:
- Specialized coaching to improve fielding skills, including catching, fielding, and throwing techniques.
- Bowling coaches focus on improving line, length, pace, and swing, as well as guiding batsmen to predict the next shot of right-handed and left-handed players.
- The academy offers summer training camps with video analysis and access to the latest equipment and physiotherapy facilities.
- Faculty members are highly qualified.
- Rahul Dravid inaugurated ‘The Nest,’ an in-house development program for young players in 2001.
Following are the details of VB Cricket Academy:
Timings | Monday – Saturday: 9 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm |
Sunday: 9 am – 4.30 pm | |
Fee | Not Specified |
Contact Info | (91) 98405 63363 |
6. Gen-Next Cricket Institute
Gen-Next’s vision is to develop cricket infrastructure in various parts of Chennai to provide easy access to sports equipment and facilities for children. The institution aims to help children develop their skills and has a presence in multiple locations, including Chennai and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Sharjah).
Key features of Gen-Next Cricket Institute:
- The institution boasts 12 nets, including seven turf wickets, four indoor wickets, and one concrete wicket.
- Gen-Next operates like a school, with programs designed for children aged 6 to 14.
- Graduates of the “Evolve” program progress to an intermediate program for ages 10 to 14.
- The final phase, “High-Performance,” is designed for students aged 14 and above, providing rigorous training with a focus on technique, equipment, and coaching.
- Gen-Next aims to identify and train future talents through programs like “Vision 2020.”
- The Summer Slam is a summer training camp that has a profound impact on athletes, helping them excel in high-performance and Vision 2020 programs.
Following are the details of Gen-Next Cricket Academy:
Director | Ravichandran Ashwin |
Head Coach | Srinivasan, Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan |
Fee | Not Specified |
Contact Info | 91 – 98417 84061 |
91 – 98840 17371 |
Conclusion:
The best cricket academies in India serve as the breeding grounds for future cricketing superstars. They provide not only top-notch coaching and infrastructure but also instill the values of hard work, discipline, and perseverance in aspiring cricketers. Whether you aspire to be a masterful batsman like Sachin Tendulkar or a fierce fast bowler like Kapil Dev, these academies offer the perfect launchpad for your cricketing journey. So, lace up your boots, grab your cricket gear, and head to one of these elite academies to chase your cricketing dreams. Who knows, the next cricketing legend might just be you!