"Even ten years ago, I had told the board to recognise cricket academies like this. As the country produces good cricketers for Team India, the board only stands to benefit," Dev said while inaugurating a bowling machine at the Mainland-Sambaram Cricket Academy here.
Pointing out that the need of the hour is to create infrastructure and build facilities for budding cricketers in India, he said the BCCI should also help by giving cricket bats and constructing good pitches in academies.
Appreciating the cricket-crazy fans of the city, he said the passion for the sport here is unmatched.
"In Kolkata, I find parents bringing their children for cricket coaching. In the north, parents stop their children. That is the difference I feel whenever I come to Kolkata," Dev said.
