Speaking after the meeting, Shastri maintained that there would be no compromise as far as quality was concerned. “There will be a fast bowling coach, there will be trainers, there will be a bio-mechanist, there will be someone who will handle mental skills as well. It will be allround and a good place to come for a youngster,” said the former Indian captain.

Shastri disclosed that the names of Australians Paul Chapman (trainer) and Paul Close (physio) were discussed. Chapman was trainer to the Bangladesh national team when NCA Director of Operations Dav Whatmore was the coach of the side.

Besides Shastri and Whatmore, the meeting was attended by other NCA committee members -- BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, Board joint-secretary MP Pandove, academy director Shivlal Yadav, the newly-appointed member of the academy committee, academy vice-chairman Ajay Shirke, former India paceman Javagal Srinath and academy Administrative Manager Col SK Nair. 

Dwelling on the issues discussed during the meeting, Shastri said: “We discussed having a structure in place, putting forward a path and setting up a centre where players look forward to being. If you want to go forward, that is an important area.”  

Stressing on the fact that the academy will have no place for below average players, Shastri made it clear that only the elite -- ‘A’ team, the under-19s and the fringe players who are not in the Indian team -- would get an opportunity to come to the academy. “It will not be a place for Tom, Dick and Harry. It will be a place for the elite -- players who are just one step away from playing for the country, and some who have already played for the country.”

Shastri also noted that the practice pitches at the academy have to be of a high standard so that the players are well equipped to counter any condition when they graduate from here.

“Again there will be someone in charge here, to look into that (pitches) and to ensure that the pitches we get here are first-class. It is important for someone playing here that he gets good pitches.”

The chairman hinted at some kind of linkage with the zonal academies but felt there was a need for proper structures to come in place ‘so that we can advise them to follow the structure followed by the NCA.’

Shastri refused comment on newly-appointed coach Gary Kirsten, saying: “He has been appointed. The matter ends, the chapter is closed.”